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^ CWp ' ’ 

THIRTIETH CONGRESS—FIRST SESSION. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 


CORRESFONDENCE BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF 
WAR AND GENERALS SCOTT AND TAYLOR, AND BE¬ 
TWEEN GENERAL SCOTT AND MR. TRIST. 


MESSAGE 


FROM THE 

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 

TRANSMITTING 

Reports from the Secretary of State and Secretary of War , with 
the accompanying documents , in compliance with the resolution of 
the House of Representatives , of the 1th February , 1848.^ 


March 20, 1848. 

£aid upon the table, and ordered to be printed. 


To the House of Representatives: 

I transmit herewith reports from the Secretary of State and the 
Secretary of War, with the accompanying documents, in compli¬ 
ance with the resolution of the- House of Representatives, of the 
7th February, 1848, requesting the President to communicate to 
that House, “ copies of all correspondence between the Secretary 
of War and Major General Scott, and between the Secretary of 
War and Major General Taylor, and between Major General Scott 
and N. P. Trist, late commissioner of the United States to Mexico, 
and between the latter and the Secretary of Stale, which has not 
heretofore been published, and the publication of which may not 
be incompatible with the public interest.” 

JAMES K. POLK. 

Washington, March 20 , 1848 . 











2 


Ex. J)oc. No. 56. 


El+05" 

.(o 

.Um, 


REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. 


To the President of the United States: 


The Secretary of State, to whom was referred that part of the 
resolution of the House of Representatives, of the seventh ultimo, 
requesting the President to communicate to that House, u copies of 
all correspondence between Major General Scott and N. P. Trist, 
late commissioner of the United States in Mexico, and between the 
latter and the Secretary of State, which has not heretofore been 
published, and the publication of which may not be incompatible 
with the public interest, 55 has the honor to lay before the President 
the accompanying papers, and to report that they comprise all the 
correspondence between General Scott and Mr. Trist, and between 
the latter and this department relating thereto, on record or on file 
in the department. 

All which is respectfully submitted. 

JAMES BUCHANAN. 


Department of State, 

Washington , March 20, 1848. 


LIST OF PAPERS. 


Mr. Trist to Mr. Buchanan, May 7, 1847, (extract.) 
The same to the same, May 21, 1847. 

General Scott to Mr. Trist, May 7, 1847. 

Mr. Trist to General Scott, May 20, 1847. 

The same to the same, May 9, 1847. 

The same to Mr. Buchanan, June 3, 1847, (extract.) 
The same to the same, June 13, 1847, (extract.) 

Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Trist, June 14, 1747, (extract.) 
The same to the same, July 13, 1847, (extract.) 

Mr. Trist to Mr. Buchanan, July 23, 1847, (extract.) 


.w , 36 ' 35 Ux 

oSUi , £ • (jLivu^coiU" 1 

-Hu* ■ 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


3 


Mr. Trist to Mr. Buchanan. 
[Extract.] 


Sir: 


Yera Cruz, 

Friday nighty May 7,1847. 


****** 

Colonel Wilson left it entirely to me to determine every point 
in regard to the despatches for General Scott, and the result of my 
consideration of the various alternatives that presented them- ' 
selves was, that they left here (including, of course, the letter of I 
the minister of foreign relations) yesterday, about 5, p. m., in 
charge of Lieutenant Lacey, of the Tennessee dragoons, and the 
despatches are, before this time, doubtless, in the hands of General 
Scott, (at Puebla, in all probability,) together with a letter from 
me, of which I had no time to take a copy. 

****** 

Hon. James Buchanan, 

Secretary of State. 


Mr. Trist to Mr. Buchanan. 


[ No. 4. ] 

Jalapa, May 21, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a very extraordinary 
letter, (if, indeed, anything from his pen can properly be so desig¬ 
nated,) received by me from General Scott, together with a copy 
of my reply and of a letter enclosing that reply. 

Although the explicit order delivered to him in the latter, on 
behalf of the President, with respect to the transmission of the 
communication from yourself to the minister of foreign affairs, may 
perhaps prove effectual, I beg leave to suggest for consideration 
whether it would not be advisable to despatch to General Scott a 
special order, through the War Department, confirming the one 
thus delivered by me; for, from the officer capable of writing such 
a letter, under any circumstances—and, $bove all, such as it was 
written in, so itally wanting in anything like provocation—I do 
not know what to anticipate or not to anticipate. 

Excepting a eport which came in here last evening, that Gen¬ 
eral Herrera ha ; been elected President, and that this event is con¬ 
sidered favorable to peace, no news whatever has been received 
here since my arrival. When we reach Puebla—for which I shall 
set out to-morrow afternoon with General Twiggs’s division—I hope 
to have it in my power to give at least some account of political 
affairs and prospects, whether favorable or unfavorable. A youth 






4 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


from Guadalajara, who is here on his way to Yera Cruz to embark 
for England, tells me that in his native place (some 300 leagues 
nearly from Mexico) all are in favor of continuing the war, at 
least there is but a handful of the opposite sentiment. But-in the 
city of Mexico, where he passed a month, there is a very strong 
party in favor of peace. This I consider good evidence of the 
state of public opinion, on that face of it which is likely to catch 
the eye of persons of his class—intelligent and modest lads of the 
age of 17 or 18. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

N. P. TRIST. 

Hon. James Buchanan, 

Secretary of State. 

P. S.—On the occasion of transmitting this correspondence with 
General Scott, I should do him injustice, although he could not be 
injured thereby with any person at all conversant with his charac¬ 
ter, were I to omit to mention that, so far as “respect” for the 
government can be proved by such outward acts as bear the same 
j relation to this sentiment which genuflexions and upturnings of the 
eyes bear to religion, nothing could have been more perfect than 
| the proof afforded in my case of the sincerity with which he pro¬ 
fesses the established creed upon this point. Not only was I met 
; on the road, as we approached the city, by General Scott’s aid-de- 
camp and the chief of the quartermaster’s department, deputed by 
him to conduct me to the quarters which he had caused to be se¬ 
cured for me, but I was subsequently called upon by the governor, 
in compliance with orders from the general-in-chief, to offer me a 
guard, (which I declined, there being no necessity for it.) So far, 
therefore, as ceremonial goes, and attentions to my person, as that 
of “ a functionary of the government,” nothing could be added to 
the proof, which it receives in this shape, of respect for its 
authority. 


Major General Scott to Mr. Trist. 

[Enclosure in No. 4.] 

• Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa, May 7, 1847. 

Sir: I have just received your note of yesterday, accompanied 
by communications to me from the Secretary of War, and one 
(sealed!) from the Department of State to the minister of foreign 
affairs of the republic of Mexico. 

You a te right in doubting whether there be a government, even 
de facto, in this republic. General Santa Anna, the nominal presi- 






Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


dent, has been, until within a day or two, in the neighborhood of 
Oiiziba, organizingbandsof rancheros, banditti, or guerillas, to cut 
off stragglers of this army, and, probably, the very train, all im¬ 
portant to us, which you propose to accompany into the interior; ' 
the safety of which train has detained me here and caused me a 
high degree of solicitude. Hence I regret that Colonel Wilson, 
commanding at Vera Cruz, has allowed himself, a second time, to 
be persuaded to detach, to bring up despatches, (for your accommo¬ 
dation,) a material portion of the force I had relied upon as the 
escort of that train. The other detachment to which I allude came 
up some days ago to escort Lieutenant Semmes, of the navy, duly 
accredited by Commodore Perry, to tl^e Mexican minister of for¬ 
eign affairs, to negotiate the exchange of Passed Midshipman 
Rogers, now a prisoner of war. That matter, also, seems to have 
been considered too important to be entrusted to my agency! 

But, to return to the actual government of Mexico. Senor An¬ 
aya, is, I believe, president, ad interim. But you may have learned 
that the Congress, after hearing of the affair of Cerro Gordo, passed 
many violent decrees, breathing war, to the uttermost, against the j 
United States; declaring that the executive has no power, and 
shall have none, to conclude a treaty, or even an armistice, with 
the United States, and denouncing as a traitor any Mexican func- j 
tionary who shall entertain either proposition. I have communicated | 
a copy of those decrees to the War Department, and, until further I 
orders thereupon, or until a change of circumstances, I very much j 
doubt whether I can so far commit the honor of my government as 
to take any direct agency in forwarding the sealed despatch you 
have sent me from the Secretary of State of the United States. 

On this delicate point, however, you will do as you please; and 
when, if able, I shall have advanced near to the capital, I may, at 
your instance, lend an escort to your flag of truce; and it may re¬ 
quire a large fighting detachment to protect even a flag of truce 
against the rancheros and banditti who now infest the national road, 
all the way up to the capital. 

I see that the Secretary of War proposes to degrade me, by re- 
quiring that I, the commander of this army, shall defer to you, the; 
chief clerk of the Department of State., the question of continuing* 
or discontinuing hostilities. 

I beg to say to him and to you, that here, in the heart of a hostile 
country, from which, after a few weeks, it would be impossible to 
withdraw this army, without a loss, probably, of half its numbers, 
by the vomito; which army, from necessity, must soon become a 
self-sustaining machine , cut off from all supplies and reinforcements 
from home, until, perhaps, late in November—not to speak of the 
had faith of the government and people of Mexico—I say, in re¬ 
ference to those critical circumstances, this army must take military 
security for its own safety. Hence, the question of an armistice or 
no armistice is, most peculiarly, a military question, appertaining, 
of necessity, if not of universal right, in the absence of direct in¬ 
structions, to the commander of the invading forces; consequently, 



6 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


\ 


if you are not clothed with military rank over me, as well as with 
diplomatic functions, I shall demand, under the peculiar circum¬ 
stances, that, in your negotiations, if the enemy should entertain 
your overtures, you refer that question to me, and all the securities 
belonging to it. The safety of this army demands no less, and I 
am responsible for that safety, until duly superseded or recalled. 
Indeed, from the nature of the case, if the enemy, on your petition, 
should be willing to concede an armistice, he would, no doubt, 
demand the military guaranty of my signature, for his own safety. 

Should you, under the exposition of circumstances I have given, 
visit the moveable head-quarters of this army, I shall receive you 
with the respect due to a functionary of my government; but 
whether you would find me here, at Perote, Puebla, or elsewhere, 
depends on events changeable at every moment. 

The sealed despatch from the Department of State I suppose you 
to desire me to hold until your arrival, or until I shS.ll hear farther 
from you. 

I remain, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

N. P. Trist, Esq., &c., &c., &c. 


Mr. Trist to Major General Scott. 

[Enclosure in No. 4.] 

Jalapa, May 20, 1847. 

Sir: The enclosed reply to the tirade against our government, 
which you saw fit to put into the shape of a letter to me, (I regret 
exceedingly that it did not receive a more appropriate form and 
direction, by being made up, at once , into an “article” to adorn 
the columns of some reckless partisan press,) was commenced at 
San Juan del Rio; where, fifter taking time to recover from the 
amazement which your letter occasioned, and coolly to reflect upon 
its extraordinary character—as I have repeatedly done since on the 
journey—I passed nearly the whole night in writing, so desirous 
did I feel to dismiss the unpleasant subject from my mind. Hav¬ 
ing motives also for wishing that my reply should reach you be¬ 
fore my arrival here, I purposed finishing it at the first place where 
it could be resumed. With this view, when we reached El Encero, 
I got out my writing materials, intending to pass the greater part 
of the night in this labor, and that of taking a copy. This design 
having, however, been defeated by the alerte which we had there 
just about sunset, causing Col. Riley to order the advance of the 
train, with which I was, to retire from its position in and around 
the house and out-buildings; the completion of my task has, from 
this and subsequent causes been unavoidably delayed until now. 

I was, most assuredly, not sent to Mexico for any such purpose 
as that of engaging in a correspondence with you; above all, in one 
of the nature of that which I have so unexpectedly found forced upon 









Ex, Doc. No, 56. 


7 


me; and I doubt whether the government will approve of my having 
allowed myself to employ any portion of my time in it. Certain 1 
am that this would be censured, but for the fact that your letter 
found me under circumstances rendering it impossible that I should 
occupy myself upon the object for which I was sent here. The 
same excuse will not exist hereafter; and even if it should, num¬ 
berless other good and sufficient reasons will always exist to com¬ 
pel me to decline the honor of maintaining a correspondence with 
you. 

The communication from the Department of State to the Mexi¬ 
can minister of foreign relations, transmitted to you by me from 
Yera Cruz, has been returned to me, since my arrival at this place, 
by your military secretary, Lieut. Lay. So soon as I shall be en¬ 
abled to ascertain that the condition of the government of this 
country is such as to admit of its delivery, it will be again placed 
in the hands of the general-in-chief of our forces for that purpo.se. 

Upon recurring to your letter, I find both its tone and its matter, 
with respect to the transmission of this communication, so perfectly 
in keeping with the rest of it, and especially with the light in 
which you have seen fit to consider me—that of an emissary of the 
Secretary of War, through whom and to whom you may “say” 
whatever your honor suggests—-that I deem it necessary to make a 
special endeavor, in regard to this very important point, to bring 
down your thoughts from the lofty regions into which they have 
soared to the one alone appropriate to such plain matters of 
business as I am charged with. 

You say that some time hence, perhaps, “I (you) may , at your 
(my) instance, lend an escort to your (my) flag of truce; and it may 
require a large fighting detachment to protect even a flag of truce 
against the rancheros and banditti,” &c. 

Now, sir, in reply to this, all I have to do is to deliver to you— 
as I hereby do in writing —(and this for the second time , unless 
my first letter was far more engmatical than 1 believe it could 
seem to any honest men, who, upon their conscience and honor, 
should be called to respond to the questions, whether you had or had 
not, in this instance, been guilty of a wanton contempt of orders; 
and whether this offence had or had not been aggravated by the 
character of the pretences under which the contempt was indulged 
in, and the contumacy sought to be covered up)—I have, I say, 
sir, to deliver to you this message from your commander-in-chief, 
the President of the United States, to wit: “ When the communica¬ 
tion, bearing the seal of the Department of State , and addressed 
‘to his excellency the minister of foreign relations of the Mexican 
republic,’ shall be placed in the hands of the general-in-chief of 
the United States army in Mexico , it is the will , order , and com¬ 
mand of the President of the United States , that the said commu¬ 
nication shall forthwith be transmitted to its destination under a 
flag of truce ; which flag of truce is to proceed from the head¬ 
quarters of the army, and is to be a flag of truce from the general- 
in-chief. It is to be protected by such escort as the general-in¬ 
chief shall deem necessary and proper for its security against all 




8 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


dangers of the road in general , (including those from c rancheros 
and banditti’ in particular .) Whether the escort necessary and 
proper for the purpose shall , in the judgment of the general-in¬ 
chief , be a corporal’s guard , a company , a regiment , or a brigade; 
such necessary and proper escort , whatever it may be , w £o yW- 
nished. The President , the same time , commands that the 
general-in-chief shall not , y*or the sake of carrying out this order , 
do aught which may jeopard the existence of the army , or interfere 
with any movements or operations whatever which he may deem 
necessary or expedient for the most vigorous possible prosecution of 
the war. The transmission of the communication above referred to 
is at all times to be deemed a secondary consideration to any of 
those just mentioned; but it is also to be deemed at all times para¬ 
mount to every thing else , and , 50 far as may be < ompatible with 
them , tfAe utmost attention is demanded to it.” 

This, sir, is the order and command of the President of the Uni¬ 
ted States, which—standing as I do to him, for this special purpose, 
in precisely the same relation that one of your aids-de-caiqp bears 
to yourself, when entrusted with a verbal order from you to a sub¬ 
ordinate officer—I do hereby convey to the general-in-chief of the 
army. 

You will now, sir, I trust, understand, when the communication 
referred to shall again be placed in your hands, that greatly de¬ 
ficient in wisdom as the present (and indeed any democratic) ad¬ 
ministration of the government must necessarily be, it has not, in 
this particular instance, fallen into so egregious a blunder as to 
make the transmission and delivery of that communication depen¬ 
dent upon the amiable affability and gracious condescension of 
General Winfield Scott. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

N. P. TRIST. 

To Major General Winfield Scott, 

General-in-chief of the U. S. Army in Mexico. 


Mr. Trist to Major General Scott . 

[Enclosure in No. 4.] 

Bivouac at San Juan del Rio, 

May 9, 1847. 

•Sir: Your letter of the 7th instant, directed to me at Yera 
Cruz, and transmitted by Captain Kearney, has met me at this 
place, on my way to the head-quarters of the United States army 
in Mexico, where my instructions require me to be, and for which 
I set out from Yera Cruz yesterday, in company with Captain 
Grayson of your staff, a gentlemen to whose kind attentions I am 
already much indebted. 

In the exercise of the discretion left me, as to the precise time 
for proceeding to head-quarters, I should probably have decided 







Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


9 


upon remaining at Vera Cruz, until I could obtain some definite 
information respecting the aspect which things now wear with 
reference to the object of my mission, had it not been for the in¬ 
formation confidentially communicated to me by the governor of 
Vera Cruz, confirming, (as your letter again does,) the correctness 
of the impression which I found generally prevalent there, that, 
after the passage of this well-guarded train, all communication be¬ 
tween our army and the sea-board would probably be cut off, and 
remain closed for some time. This consideration, joined with my 
utter want of all means of judging at what moment a juncture 
might be likely to occur, when every thing, so far as regards the 
re-establishment of peace between the two countries would depend 
upon my being on the spot, ready to carry out my instructions, 
without the loss of a single day, determined me to set out forth¬ 
with. My short stay at Vera Cruz had, consequently, to be em¬ 
ployed in making the requisite arrangements for leaving with the 
train, (the departure of which was to take place on the morning 
after my arrival, though it did not occur till a day later,) instead 
of being given, as it otherwise would have been, to the examina¬ 
tion of files of the Mexican papers for the last five or six weeks ; 
whereby alone my entire ignorance of all political events since the 
capture of Vera Cruz, and indeed for some time previous, could 
have been dispelled; for I found all our officers at that city so en¬ 
grossed by the urgent demands upon their attention which are 
every instant arising, that the only intelligence elicited by my in¬ 
quiries was, that every thing was in the utmost confusion, and that 
a new president ’ ad been elected in place of Santa Anna, and in 
utter disregard of his title to that office, under the election of last 
year. 

No one acquainted with the history of this country could be sur¬ 
prised at such a proceeding, and I took for granted that it had 
happened exactly so, until I learnt from your letter, that this new 
president is merely a u president ad interim , 55 not intended to 
supersede Santa Anna, the latter being still u the nominal presi¬ 
dent, 55 in other words, the recognized head of the government. 

The frantic decrees of the Mexican Congress which you men¬ 
tion, I had never before heard of, although, if your letter had 
found me still at Vera Cruz, it would, most certainly, not have 
had any such effect as that of deterring me from proceeding into 
the interior, and causing me to abandon all idea that my presence 
there might possibly be of use. In themselves, such irksome pro¬ 
ceedings could have had no force whatever upon my mind in form¬ 
ing an estimate of the probabilities of peace, and, in my endeavors 
to judge of the weight to which they might be entitled from con¬ 
current circumstances, I should not have lost sight of the fact, 
that it was from the Mexican Congress that these brute fulmina- 
tions had proceeded, the same body, who, calling themselves the 
representatives of the people, and with u God and liberty 55 for 
their motto, had allowed their country to be crushed under a do¬ 
mestic military tyranny, far more grinding than the Janissary op¬ 
pression, inflicted upon the Greeks by their Moslem conquerors. 



10 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 




Upon despatching to you the hurried note written a few hours 
after my arrival at Vera Cruz, I did not at all anticipate, sir, that 
a written correspondence was to arise between us, or that any 
communication whatever would be made on your part until I 
should have the pleasure of congratulating you in person upon the 
brilliant success which has attended your movements. Your letter, 
however, is one which cannot remain unanswered. It imposes 
upon me the duty, at once to reply to it by a written correction of 
the misconceptions which, to my very deep regret, no less than 
exceeding surprise, have, from some cause or other, taken pos¬ 
session of your imagination upon the receipt of my letter. 

The first of these in importance, is the one evinced by the re¬ 
marks, in the course of which you say : u I see that the Secretary * 
of War proposes to degrade me, by requiring that I, the com¬ 
mander of this army, shall defer to you, the chief clerk of the 
Department of State, the question of continuing or discontinuing 
hostilities.” 

Upon this point, sir, I have to state, that the order conveyed to 
you in the letter of the Secretary of War, did not originate with 
that officer, but emanated from him, who, if the constitution 
of the United States be any thing but an empty formula, is u the 
commander-in-chief” of u this army,” and of the whole armed 
force of the United States, in whatsoever quarter of the globe it 
may be directed to operate. In the present instance, this fact is 
positively known to me, and had it not been so, I should still, 
slight as is my acquaintance with military affairs, have taken it for 
granted, for I do not recollect ever to have heard of an instance, 
in which an important order issuing from the War Department, 
above all, one manifestly founded upon executive determinations 
respecting our foreign relations, was ascribed to any other source, 
or in which a disposition to treat such order with contempt sought 
to shelter itself under any such cover as the pretence, that it was 
regarded as the mere act of the Secretary of War. 

Commodore Perry, to whorfi the same identical order was issued 
through the Navy Department, and with whom I had a conversa¬ 
tion on the subject, did not see in it any thing at all extraordi¬ 
nary. This, however, may have been caused by his being less 
habitually vigilant of, or less gifted with discernment in regard to, 
the honor of his branch of the public service. Or perhaps this 
want of penetration on his part may be attributable to his not 
having equal reason for believing his own personal consequence to 
be so excessive, and the influence of the Secretary of the Navy, to 
be so overwhelming, that for the mere sake of affording indul¬ 
gence to the personal envy and malevolence of the latter, in the 
very vilest shape in which these base passions can manifest them¬ 
selves, a most important measure of the government (belonging 
obviously to the branch of public duties appertaining to the De¬ 
partment of State, and having no reference to the functions of the 
War Department) was deliberately planned and decided upon, 
and a confidential diplomatic agent despatched post haste from 
Washington, with a communication for the Mexican government ! 







Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


11 


Thus much in regard to the author of the degradation supposed 
by you to be involved in this order. With respect to the degra¬ 
dation itself, and the imagined necessity of your deferring to me 
on u a military question,” the following passage in my instruc¬ 
tions (instructions which, in making the full explanation referred 
to in my first letter, it was my intention to submit for your peru¬ 
sal) will suffice. It shows that u the question of continuing or 
discontinuing hostilities,” so far from having been in any manner 
committed to my discretion, is one which the President, in the 
discharge of the duty which he owes to our country, has judged 
proper to reserve entirely to the .chief executive authority of our 
government: u If the contingency shall occur, on the happening 
of which, as provided by the third article of the proposed treaty, 
hostilities are required to be suspended, you will, without delay, 
communicate this fact to the commanders of our land and naval 
forces respectively, the Secretaries of War and of the Navy, 
having already issued orders to them for the suspension of hostili¬ 
ties, upon the receipt of such notice from yourself. ” 

It is here seen, that the object of the order, thus provisionally 
issued to the commanders of our land and naval forces, is simply, 
that they shall cease to wage war upon Mexico, on the occurrence 
of a certain contingency. This contingency, as it was intended 
that you should be fully informed, by the exhibition of the pro¬ 
posed treaty, immediately upon my reaching head-quarters, is, 
the ratification by the Mexican government of a definite treaty , 
establishing peace between the two countries. No power or discre¬ 
tion whatever, no shadow of any such thing, is vested in me, with 
respect to the suspension of hostilities. So far as this measure is 
connected with my mission, or can by any possibility grow out of 
my mission, it cannot take place except upon the occurrence of 
a state of things strictly defined by the President. A treaty of 
peace and amity, such as I am empowered to make, must first be 
conceded, and not only concluded, but ratified by Mexico; and 
then, upon notice of this state of things, given by me to the re¬ 
spective commanders, the order for the suspension of hostilities is 
to come into force, this order being the President’s order, emanat¬ 
ing from him, through the appropriate departments, and not my 
order. To represent it as mine, strikes me as being no less ob¬ 
viously erroneous, than it would be to state that the generals of 
the army under your command, had been subjected to the authority 
of your aides-de-camp, and required to u defer” to them, because 
you had issued an order requiring the former to execute a particu¬ 
lar movement, previously prescribed by yourself, whensoever they 
should receive from the latter a notice or direction to that effect. 
And the erior would be no less palpable, if, instead of the course 
pursued by the government, in issuing to yourself and to Commo¬ 
dore Perry the provisional order which you have received, the 
President had judged it to be expedient and necessary that you 
should never hear of the proposed treaty until it should have been 
ratified on the part of Mexico, and I had been instructed then to 



12 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

notify this fact 4 to you, and to require you, in his name, to suspend 
hostilities. 

So long, then, as the two countries shall continue to he in a state 
of war , the operations of our forces in Mexico, cannot, by the re¬ 
motest possibility, be affected by the fact that I am charged with 
the duty of making that notification. So far as those operations 
are concerned, the case now stands, and cannot but continue to 
stand, precisely as if negotiations for peace had taken place at 
Washington, and as if no order for the suspension of hostilities 
had issued until after those negotiations had been brought to a suc¬ 
cessful close. The only difference which can result from, our 
government’s having a diplomatic representative on the spot, is, 
that the restoration of peace may possibly be thereby hastened. 
And the only difference made by this agent’s being instructed to 
give notice of its restoration, (instead of waiting till this could 
travel from Mexico to Washington, and back again from Washing¬ 
ton to the army,) is, that the calamities of war would be arrested 
a month or two or more, the soonerpand that this very considera¬ 
tion might in itself be the cause of peace, by determining the 
enemy to conclude a treaty which, otherwise, he would be unwil¬ 
ling to enter into. On your part, sir, above all other men, this 
certainly could not be objected to; for, unless my memory de¬ 
ceives me, our batteries before Vera Cruz were, in your official 
despatch, reported as being in “a state of awful activity,” an 
epithet which struck me at the moment as being a somewhat unu¬ 
sual one in artillery technicals, although the National Intelli¬ 
gencer very soon afterwards accounted for it to my entire satis¬ 
faction, by the assurance which it gave our country, that you 
are “ distinguished for humanity,” an assurance which receives 
the strongest possible corroboration from the little word thus in¬ 
advertently dropped from your pen. 

In a word, sir, the course determined upon by our government, 
respecting the suspension of hostilities, is what any man of plain 
unsophisticated common sense would take for granted that it must 
be; and it is not what your exuberant fancy and over cultivated 
imagination would make. The question truly presented by it, and 
it would require very skilful sophistry indeed to make our country 
believe that this could be otherwise than obvious to any man oc¬ 
cupying your position, is not , whether the immediate command and 
direction of the United States forces in Mexico is to continue to 

reside in the senior officer of the army present, or is to be transfer¬ 
red to some person not belonging to the army. The question is, 

whether the government of the United States is to.be permitted by 

General Winfield Scott, to discharge its international functions and 
duties in its own way, and by agents of its own selection; when he may 
have taken a fancy to relieve it of the trouble of attending to them, by 
himself settling the preliminaries of peace, in adjusting the terms 
of that “armistice” with regard to which he has judged proper so 
vehemently to assert his own exclusive competency. 

It may be remarked, that, even if the order thus prospectively 
given by the President, instead of having reference to a notice of 


Ex.' Doc. No. 56. 


13 


the happening of a certain anticipated possibility, (which it was 
deemed expedient and necessary not to refer to specifically in the 
order,) had directed that hostilities should be suspended upon the 
receipt of a requirement from a secret and confidential agent of the 
government; even in this case, a genuine, as contradistinguished 
from a merely verbal or formalry “respect” for the authority of the 
constitution, would be likely to suggest to any commander receiv- 
* ing such order and habitually entertaining such genuine sentiment, 
at least to abstain from all premature determinations to treat it as 
a nullity. He might, through love of country and forgetfulness of 
self, make up his mind, should the order take effect under circum¬ 
stances rendering it destructive of the public weal, then to disobey 
it. But he would scarcely show haste to make a parade of this de¬ 
termination, or to set to his army an example of insubordination by 
any unnecessary disclosure of even this contingent intention, before 
those circumstances had become matter of fact and of positive 
knowledge, and whilst they had as yet not ceased to be the coin¬ 
age of an imagination ready to impute to the chief magistrate elect¬ 
ed by our country—aided in his deliberations by the eminent citi¬ 
zens whom he had called around him for the purpose—a course of 
proceeding so imbecile as to awaken surprise that the bare possi¬ 
bility of its having ever been contemplated by them should suggest 
itself to any sane mind. 

With regard to the choice made by the President, of the person 
to be charged with the measures dictated by him for bringing about 
the state of things whereof notice is thus to be given, I, sir, do not* 
entertain a doubt but that far better selections might have been 
made; and that it has fallen upon myself solely in consequence of 
the peculiar circumstances of the juncture. Among these far bet¬ 
ter selections, the best of all, perhaps, would have been the present 
commander of our land forces in Mexico. This would have been 
attended with one advantage at least, that of precluding all danger 
of this attempt to restore peace being rendered abortive by collis- 
sion^in regard to “military rank.” But if the President has proved 
himself not duly sensible of this consideration, added to the many 
others, which should doubtless have weighed with him in favor of 
the appointment now referred to; and should he hereafter have 
cause to repent that he did not make it, no part of the blame can 
ever attach to me, for he knows that the sin thus committed by him 
•was not in any way participated in by me, except so far as my con¬ 
sent, in reply to his own spontaneously expressed wish, no less un¬ 
desired than unsought on my part, may have made me one of the 
guilty. 

My instructions (which, as has already been stated, I am author¬ 
ized to make known to you, and had intended to exhibit to you) 
show that no ground exists, either for the supposition you have made, 
that the object for which I have been sent here is, to “ petition ” the 
enemy to “concede aft armistice,” or for the apprehension which 
you express, that the communication from the Secretary of State of 
the United States of America, to the Mexican minister of foreign re¬ 
lations, maybe of a nature to “commit the honor of ” the government 


14 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

of our country ; although this patriotic solicitude, most assuredly 
cannot fail to be duly appreciated by that country, and most es¬ 
pecially by all sticklers for military subordination within the army, 
and for the strict enforcement of the respect due from the military 
to the civil authority. Equally groundless will be found to be the 
supposition that “the chief clerk of the Department of State” can 
have been taken from his desk, and sent to the seat of war in the 
heart of the enemy’s country, “clothed with military rank over” the 
senior officer of the army of the United States ! The propriety of 
its finding a place in the reply of that senior officer to the com¬ 
munication which, in the discharge of the duties confided to me, I 
found it necessary to address to him, is a point which does not call 
for remark from me. The merits of this jeu d’esprit, as a specimen 
of delicate and refined irony, so peculiarly appropriate, too, in the 
reply to a letter so offensive as mine, I willingly leave to the good 
taste and good feeling of our countrymen. They will not fail to 
do justice to it also, as a model of the respect due by all public 
servants to the office and the authority of the President of the Uni¬ 
ted States. 

The communication from the Secretary of State to the Mexican 
minister, in regard to which you express surprise, (or perhaps in¬ 
dignation may be the meaning of your note of exclamation,) that 
it should have been enclosed to you for transmission “ sealed,” was 
so sealed because it was deemed proper that it should bear the seal 
of the Department of State of the United States; and in this there 
is no departure from the established practice in similar cases. It 
was intended, however, that you should be made acquainted with 
its contents, as well as with every thing else relating to the subject, 
by means of the copy in my possession; and I had supposed that this 
intention was sufficiently expressed in my former letter, though, from 
the haste in which it was written and despatched, (and which did 
not allow me to retain a copy,) it was doubtless very imperfect in 
more than one particular. But, had no such intimation been given, 
and had no such intention existed, the doctrine which should deny 
to the government of the United States the right to send to its 
agents or officers abroad, civil or military, for transmission to fo¬ 
reign governments, any communications which it might be deemed 
necessary to make, and in such state, sealed or unsealed, as it 
might be deemed appropriate to the occasion, such a doctrine could, 
so far as my very limited knowledge extends, be a most extraordi¬ 
nary innovation in the conduct of public affairs. Nothing is more 
common than to send naval commander's, of any and every rank, to 
sea with “ sealed orders;” which, although addressed to themselves, 
and relating to public interests entrusted exclusively to them , they 
are required not to open for weeks or months thereafter; or not at 
all, except upon the occurrence of a certain contingency. And if 
this be considered as not affecting their honor, and as not giving 
them the right to take their government to task, either by the de¬ 
vice of notes of exclamation or by less condensed modes of ex¬ 
pression, it strikes my poor judgment as following, a fortiori , that 
no such right can arise from the transmission, through them, of a 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 15 

sealed note to a foreign government, upon matters totally distinct 
from their own professional duties. 

The haste in which the communications for the Mexican minister 
of foreign relations was despatched to you, arose from the utter 
uncertainty in which I found myself, whether the state of things 
then existing in the interior might not be such as to present a cri¬ 
sis, rendering it of the highest importance to our country, and to 
Mexico likewise, that the moment should be seized for the delivery 
of that communication. It was the President’s intention, when I 
left Washington, that it should be delivered immediately upon my 
arrival in this country, and that it should forthwith be placed in the 
hands of the general-in-chief of our forces for this purpose. By 
transmitting it to you, and making the intention of the President 
known, my duty in regard to it is fulfilled. At the same time, had 
I been aware that the circumstances of the moment were decided¬ 
ly unpropitious for its delivery, I should have deemed it my duty, 
perhaps, to retain it, or at any rate to recommend, at the moment of 
placing it in your hands, that its transmission should be delayed 
until a favorable change should occur, or at least until further in¬ 
structions could be received. 

Under this view of the subject, I do not regret that its transmis¬ 
sion has been delayed until I shall have reached Jalapa; although 
I cannot, I must confess, assent to the correctness of the ground 
upon which your determination thus to delay it is placed. *It is 
impossible for me to perceive how it could have been inferred from 
the extreme anxiety evinced by me to transmit that communication 
to you at the earliest possible moment , that it was contemplated by 
the instructions under which I so acted, that you were to retain it 
until my arrival at u the moveable head-quarters.” 


[Extract.] 


Mr. Tri-st to Mr. Buchanan. 


[No. 6.] 

Puebla, June 3, 1847. 

Sir: 

####*# *# 

On my arrival here I received a letter from General Scott, to 
which I shall make no reply, (as I informed the aid, Lieutenant 
Hamilton, who handed it to me,) and which I will transmit at some 
other time. No other communication has reached me from him; 
and, as was stated at the beginning of this letter, it was through 
accident only that I became informed of the opportunity for writ¬ 
ing afforded by the train for Jalapa to-morrow morning. 

# # # # # * * # 

Hon. James Buchanan, 

Secretary of State. 



16 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

[Extract.] 

Mr. Trist to Mr. Buchanan. 


[No. 7.] 

Sir: 

* # * 


Puebla, June 13, 1847. 

# * # # 


It will be perceived that, in my last letter to -, I refer to 

the corroboration afforded by Mr.-, to what I had inferred 

from a few Mexico newspapers, in regard to the opportuneness of 
the period when your communication to the minister of foreign re¬ 
lations reached the hands of General Scott for its delivery to the 
Mexican government. Mr.-stated that the loss of this op¬ 

portunity was much to be regretted, and he mentioned several facts 
showing how favorable it had been. The most striking of these 
was that Mr.-had been applied to, on the part of a high per¬ 

sonage, (named,) to know if he would write to General S., asking 
whether he would entertain a proposal for the suspension of his 
advance, as a measure preliminary to an offer to enter into negoti¬ 
ations. The motive, too, was stated; it was, that the troops (doubt¬ 
less the means also) which it would otherwise be requisite to dra?y 
from the States, for the defence of the capital, might be kept there 
to give strength to those who would sustain the government in 
such offer. 

# # # # # * # * 

Hon. James Buchanan, 

Secretary of State . 


[Extract.] 

Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Trist. 

[No. 2.] Department of State, 

Washington , June 14, 1847. 

Sir: Your despatch of the 21st ultimo, which you have numbered 
4, was received on the 3d instant. None of a later date from you 
has yet come to hand. 

The original letter from General Scott to yourself, dated at 
Jalapa, May 7, 1847, which you have transmitted w T ith your de¬ 
spatch, is certainly of a most extraordinary character. It was w r ell 
calculated to wound your feelings and excite your indignation. 
This letter surely never would have been written, had he awaited 
your arrival at his head-quarters and read the instructions and the 
projet of a treaty with Mexico, which you were authorized to com¬ 
municate to him confidentially. The perusal of these documents 
must have put to flight the unfounded suspicions, in regard to your 
mission, which seem to have pre-occupied his mind and influenced 
his conduct. 









Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


17 


j 


You were entrusted with no farther agency in regard to my com¬ 
munication of the 15th April last, addressed to the Mexican minis¬ 
ter for foreign relations, after it was placed in the hands of General 
Scott. Your whole duty respecting it was then performed. If he 
has either refused or neglected to transmit that important docu¬ 
ment to the minister to whom it was directed, and thus violated a 
military order of the President, issued to him through the Depart¬ 
ment of War, he has incurred a heavy responsibility; but for this 
he is neither answerable to the Department of State nor the com- 
misioner to Mexico. The question belongs exclusively to the 
military branch of the government. 

You might safely have relied upon the government here for the 
vindication of your character and conduct. Indeed General Scott’s 
letter to you had upon its face placed him so clearly in the wrong 
that no commentary upon it, however able, which you may have 
written, can have made the case plainer. Some days before the 
arrival of your despatch, the War Department had received a 
despatch from the general, enclosing a copy of his letter to you; 
and a judicious and appropriate answer, dated on the 31st of May, 
was returned to him by the Secretary of War. 

Whilst our armies are in the country of the enemy, and our min¬ 
ister of peace is at the head-quarters of the commanding general, 
this is no time for personal altercations between them, if these can 
possibly be avoided. Under such circumstances, the greater the 
sacrifice of private griefs, however well founded, which you may 
make upon the altar of your country, the more will this redound to 
your honor hereafter. You have been despatched to Mexico by 
your government as a minister of peace; and, to accomplish the 
great object of your mission, a hearty co-operation between the 
general and yourself may be indispensable. Under these consider¬ 
ations, I am directed by the President, in case amicable relations 
shall not, in the mean time, have been restored, to instruct you to 
call upon General Scott and offer to communicate to him, confiden¬ 
tially, the instructions and the projet of a treaty with which you 
have been entrusted, and to report to this department, without 
delay, the circumstances and the result of your interview. 

Governor Marcy has again written to General Scott by the mes¬ 
senger who wiil bear you this despatch. 

Yours, very respectfully, 

JAMES BUCHANAN. 

N, P. Trist, Esq., Sfc ., &fc ., fyc. 


[Extract.] 

Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Trist. 

[No. 3.] Department of State, 

Washington, July 13, 1847. 

Sir: A duplicate of your No. 4, dated 21st of May, 1847, to- 
* gether with a copy of the first ten pages of your letter to General 
2 





18 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Scott of the 9th of May, and of your letter to him of the 20th of 
May, was received at the department on the 28th ultimo. Your 
No. 6, of the 3d of June, 1847, was also received on the 29th ulti¬ 
mo; but your No. 5 (if indeed there be such a number) has not yet 
come to hand. It is much to be regretted that you could not have 
found time to prepare and transmit copies of your letters to General 
Scott[of the 9th and 20th of May, with the original of your despatch, 
No. 4. In that event they would have been received nearly a month 
earlier; and even now we have only a part of your letter to him of 
the 9th of May. General Scott’s answer to these letters, dated at 
Pueblo on the 29th of May, has been received at the War Depart¬ 
ment, from which I have obtained a copy. 

These documents have produced feelings of deep mortification 
and disappointment in the mind of the President. It is lamentable 
to reflect that the restoration of peace may have been defeated or 
delayed by a violent and embittered personal quarrel between two 
functionaries of the government in the enemy’s country, and whilst 
the war is raging. 

You do not seem sufficiently to have reflected that you were en¬ 
trusted with no power whatever over the disposition of my communi¬ 
cation of the 15th of April last, to the Mexican minister for foreign 
affairs, except that of a mere bearer of despatches. After it had 
reached the hands of General Scott, your agency in regard to it 
should have terminated, and ought never to have been resumed. 
His refusal or omission to forward that communication to the place 
of its destination, in obedience to the military order of the Presi¬ 
dent, through the Secretary of War, was a question in no manner 
connected with your mission. It was, therefore, with regret that 
the President discovered from your letter to the general of the 20th 
of May, that you had consented to take back this communication 
from his possession, and to assume a discretion which had not been 
delegated, in regard to the appropriate time for forwarding it to 
the Mexican minister for foreign affairs. You say to the general 
that, u so soon as I shall be enabled to ascertain that the condition 
of the government of this country is such as to admit of its delivery, 
it will be again placed in the hands of the general-in-chief of our 
forces for that purpose.” 

You have thus done much to relieve General Scott from the re¬ 
sponsibility of disobeying the order communicated to him through 
the Secretary of War; and have, in effect, without any authority, 
undertaken to decide that it was not proper, under existing circum¬ 
stances, to transmit my letter to the Mexican minister for foreign 
affairs. In this decision the President cannot concur. That letter 
was an answer to the letter of Mr. Monasterio to myself, dated on 
the 22d of February last, and was required, not only by courtesy, 
but the highest public considerations. Its immediate delivery to 
the Mexican minister for foreign affairs could have done no possi¬ 
ble harm, and might have been productive of much positive good. 
Indeed, had it reached its destination soon after the victory of 
Cerro Gordo, from the state of public feeling then existing in the city 
of Mexico, it might and probably would have been productive of the 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 19 

happiest consequences. But, whether or not, the time of its de¬ 
livery was*a question not left to your discretion. 

The greatest pains were taken, in framing your instructions, to 
prevent all possible interference on your part with the appropriate 
military duties of General Scott. It was partly to convince him of 
this fact that you were authorized to exhibit these instructions to 
him, together with the projet of the treaty. Your authority, so far 
as he was concerned, was limitedto the single point of giving him 
notice that the contingency had occurred, to wit, the ratification of 
the treaty by the Mexican government, u on the happening of which, 
as provided by the third article, hostilities are required to be sus¬ 
pended.” The ratification of such a treaty by Mexico, according 
to the spirit of the act of Congress of the 3d of March, 1847, 
u making further appropriation to bring the existing war with Mexi¬ 
co to a speedy and honorable conclusion,” was to be the signal for 
the termination of hostilities. As the negotiator of the treaty, from 
his position, must necessarily be first informed of this event, he was 
required “without delay to communicate the fact to the comman¬ 
ders of our land and naval forces respectively.” All the rest was 
left to the instructions issued by the Secretaries of War and of the 
Navy to our military and naval commanders. Up to this last mo¬ 
ment your duties were wholly unconnected with General Scott, and 
then they were limited to a mere official communication, that the 
Mexican government had concluded and ratified a treaty of peace 
with the United States. 

Under these circumstances, it was with deep regret that the Pre¬ 
sident learned, from your letter to the general of the 20th of May, 
that you had undertaken, in his name, to become the medium of 
giving to that officer an order in advance, to be executed when you 
should think proper again to deliver into his hands my communica¬ 
tion to the Mexican minister for foreign affairs; and, to enforce 
obedience to this order, you declare that, for this special purpose, 
you stand in precisely the same relation to the President that one 
of his aids-de-camp bears to himself, when entrusted with a verbal 
order from him to his subordinate officer. 

It is a most disagreeable task thus to criticise your conduct. Ge¬ 
neral Scott, by his letter to you of the 7th of May last, had placed 
himself clearly in the wrong. Whether any pretext existed for 
writing such a letter—justification he could have had none—can only 
appear from your letter to him of the 6th of May, to which his was 
a response. It is therefore much to be regretted that you have kept 
no copy of this letter, which has now become so important, and the 
general has not furnished the War Department with a copy. 

I purposely forbear to express any opinion of your reply to Gen. 
Scott of the 9th of May, until I shall have an entire copy of it be¬ 
fore me; and his rejoinder to you of the 29th of May, I leave in 
the hands of the Secretary of War, to whom he is directly respon¬ 
sible. 

Your mission was a mere precautionary measure. In the then ex¬ 
isting relations between the two countries the President could not 
have appointed public commissisoners to treat with Mexico, because 


20 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


it was morally certain they would not be received. At the same 
time it was foreseen that in the progress of our arms a favorable 
juncture might occur for the conclusion of a treaty, which, if not 
seized at the moment, might not again speedily return. The Pre¬ 
sident would have been inexcusable had he not provided for such 
a contingency. For this purpose you were employed as a confiden¬ 
tial agent, to proceed to the head-quarters of the army with the 
projet of a treaty already prepared; and in case the Mexican govern¬ 
ment should refuse to conclude this treaty, you were authorized to 
make the necessary preliminary arrangements for the meeting of 
commissioners. It was almost essential to the success of your mis¬ 
sion, that you should cultivate a good understanding with the com¬ 
mander-in-chief of the army. It was, therefore, unfortunate that 
you had not in person delivered to him the despatches with which 
you were entrusted, and at the same time made him fully acquainted 
with the character and objects of your mission, as well as with the 
nature of my communication to the Mexican minister of foreign af¬ 
fairs. For these reasons, therefore, although the letter of General 
Scott was well calculated to irritate your feelings and excite your 
indignation, you would have best performed your duty to your 
country had you stifled your resentment, and entrusted your vindi¬ 
cation to the Secretary of War, acting under the order of the Pre¬ 
sident. Indeed, for this purpose the letter required no studied 
reply. It is on its face the production of unfounded jealousy, 
which the author’s own sober reflection, if left to itself, would most 
probably have corrected. 

The President trusts that ere this, in obedience to my instructions of 
the 14th ultimo, (of which I now transmit you a duplicate,) you have 
called upon General Scott and communicated to him the instructions 
and projet of a treaty with which you have been entrusted, and that 
even if friendly relations have not been restored, neither you nor he 
will suffer your personal feud to defeat or to delay the conclusion 
of a treaty of peace with Mexico. 

Yours, very respectfully, 

JAMES BUCHANAN. 

N. P. Trist, Esq., &c., &c., &c. 


[Extract] 

Mr. Trist to Mr. Buchanan. 


[No. 9.] 

Puebla, July 23, 1847. 

Sir: *** * **** 

In my No. 8,* under date the 7th inst., I transmitted a copy of 
a letter addressed by me to General Scott, under date 25th June, 


* This despatch has never been received at the Department of State. 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


21 


and his reply to the same. This constituted the commencement of 
our official intercourse with reference to the duties with which I 
am charged. Justice—to say nothing of my own feelings towards 
a gentleman and a public servant, whose character I now believe 
that I had entirely misconceived—demands that I should embrace 
this early opportunity to say, that his whole conduct, in this regard, 
has been characterized by the purest public spirit, and a fidelity 
and devotion which could not be surpassed, to the views of the 
government, in regard to the restoration of peace. This spirit on 
his part, as will clearly appear when the details are communicated, 
has manifested itself, not in a passive way merely, (as might be 
supposed from the nature of our relative positions and duties,) but 
in a disposition to assume responsibility, and responsibility of the 
gravest kind, in utter disregard of consequences to himself. And 
this disposition, or rather, this readiness and fixed determi¬ 
nation, on his part, although the occasion which has called it forth 
did not relate to the discharge of his military duties, strictly 
speaking, has not required any appeal from me to elicit it; but has 
manifested itself in the most spontaneous and patriotic manner. 
Under these circumstances, it could not but be a cause of the most 
serious regret on my part, if the correspondence between us, that 
took place shortly after my arrival in this country, should in any way 
be brought to the notice of the public; and consequently, if, in your 
judgment consistent with propriety, it would be highly gratifying 
to me to be permitted to withdraw it from the files of the depart¬ 
ment. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

N. P. TRIST. 

Hon. James Buchanan, --- 

Secretary of State . 





22 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 


War Department, 
Washington , March 16, 1848. 

Sir: In pursuance of your directions, I have the honor to fur¬ 
nish, herewith, copies of such papers in this department as are em¬ 
braced by the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 
7th ultimo, requesting you to communicate to the House u copies 
of all correspondence between the Secretary of War and Major 
General Scott, and between the Secretary of War and Major 
General Taylor, and between the Major General Scott and N. P. 
Trist, late commissioner of the United States to Mexico,” &c., not 
heretofore published. 

The copies now furnished are intended, and are believed, to em¬ 
brace all correspondence not heretofore published, between this de¬ 
partment and the general officers above named, except such as re¬ 
lated to matters of detail, returns and condition of the troops, 
charges against officers, proceedings of courts martial, and military 
commissions, &c., and a few letters from this department accounted 
for in the memorandum herewith; and also, the correspondence be¬ 
tween General Scott and Mr. Trist, so far as has been communica¬ 
ted by the former to this department. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 

Secretary of War. 

To the President 

of the United States. 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


23 


Memorandum of correspondence between the Secretary of War and 
Major General Scotty including that between General Scott and 
Mr. Trist , so far as has been communicated by the former. 


Letter of General Scott, November 19, 1846. 
u Secretary of War, November 23, 1846. 

u Secretary of War, November 25, 1846. 


u 

u 


(Not sent.) 


Secretary of War, December 7, 1846. 

No No. 1, in General Scott’s series of letters. 
General Scott, No. 2, December 21, 1846. 

Secretary of War, December 14, 1846. 

General Scott, No. 3, December 23, 1846. 

General Scott, No. 4, December 30, 1846. 

General Scott, No. 5, January 12, 1847. 

General Scott, No. 6, January 24, 1847. 

General Scott, No. 7, January 26, 1847. 

General Scott, No. 8, January 28, 1847. 

Secretary of War, January 4, 1847. 

Secretary of War, January 15, 1847. 

Secretary of War, February 22, 1847. 

General Scott, No. 9, February 4, 1847. 

General Scott, No. 10, February 5, 1847. 

General Scott, No. 11, February 12, 1847. 

General Scott, No. 12, ) February 28, 1847. 

General Scott, No. 12, $ March 1, 1847. 

Secretary of War, March 13, 1847. 

Secretary of War, March 22, 1847. 

Secretary of War, April 3, 1847, introducing J. B. (Not 
sent.) 

Secretary of War, April 3, 1847. (Before published, 
Doc. 1, present session.) 

General Scott, No. 13, March 12, 1847.' 


General Scott, No. 14, March 14, 1847. 
General Scott, No. 15, March 17, 1847. 
General Scott, No. 16, March 18, 1847. 
General Scott, No. 17, March 21, 1847. 
General Scott, No. 18, March 23, 1847. 


Reports rela¬ 
tive to the 
siegeofVera 
Cruz. Pub. 
Doc. No. 1, 
1st session, 
30th Cong. 


i, 


General Scott, No. 18, March 29, 1847. 

Secretary of War, April 12, 1847. 

Secretary of War, April 12, 1847. Published, Doc 
1st session, 30th Congress. 

General Scott, No. 20, April 5, 1847. 

General Scott, No. 21, April 8, 1847. 

Secretary of War, April 30, 1847. 

General Scott, No. 22, April 11, 1847. 

( Reports of the bat¬ 
tle of Cerro Gor¬ 
do, Doc. No. 1, 
1st s., 30th Con. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


24 


Letter of Secretary of War, April 14, 1847. 

u Secretary of War, April 14, 1847. (2d.) 

u Secretary of War, May 10, 1847. Published, Doc. No. 

1, 1st session, 30th Congress. 
u Secretary of War, May 14, 1847. 

(C Secretary of War, May 17* 1847. 

<£ Secretary of War, May 19, 1847. 

u General Scott, No. 25, April 28, 1847. 

(( Secretary of War, May 20, 1847. 

u General Scott, No. 26, May 6, 1847. 

u General Scott, No. 27, May 7, 1847. 

u Secretary of War, May 31, 1847. 

u General Scott, No. 28, May 20, 1847. 
u Secretary of War, June 14, 1847. 

u Secretary of War, June 15, 1847. Published, Doc. No. 

1, present session. 

u Secretary of War, June 15, 1847. 

(( General Scott, No. 29, June 4, 1847. 

<£ Secretary of War, July 12, 1847. 

u Secretary of War, July 19, 1847. 

u Secretary of War, August 6, 1847. 
a Secretary of War, September 1, 1847. 

“ Secretary of War, September 23, 1S47. 

u Secretary of War, October 6, 1847. 

u Secretary of War, October 22, 1847. 

u Secretary of War, October 22, 1847. 

c< Secretary of War, October 24, 1847. 

u Secretary of War, October 26, 1847. 

u Secretary of War, November 8, 1847. 
u General Scott, No. 30, July 25, 1847. (Received De¬ 
cember 30, published, Doc. No. 1, present session.) 
General Scott, No. 32, Aug. 19, 1847.) Reports of battles 
<c General Scott, No. 32, Aug. 28, 1847. I of Mexico, pub- 

(( General Scott, No. 33, Sep. 11, 1847. [ lished, Doc. No. 

te General Scott, No. 34, Sep. 18, 1847. J 1, 1st s. 30th C. 

Correspondence between General Scott and General Pillow, Octo¬ 
ber, 1847. 

Letter of Secretary of War, November 19, 1847. 

u General Scott, No. 35, October 27, 1847. 

Papers transmitted by Major General Scott, October 27, 1847. 
Letter of General Scott, No. 36, November 27, 1847. 

“ General Scott, No. 37, December 4, 1847. 
i( Secretary of War, December 14, 1847. 
u Secretary of War, January 5, 1848, introduces Mr. H. 
(Omitted.) 

u General Scott, No. 38, December 13, 1847. 

u General Scott, No. 39, December 14, 1847. 

Secretary of War, January 13, 1848. 

Secretary of War, January 13, 1848. (2d.) 

Secretary of War, January 19, 1848. 

General Scott, No. 40, December 17, 1847. 


a 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


25 


Letter of General Scott, No. 41, December 25, 1847. 

u Secretary of War to General Scott, inclosing a letter of 
General Jesup, March 11, 1848. 
u General Scott, No. 42, January 6, 1848. 

u General Scott, No. 43, January 13, 1848. 

Papers transmitted, January 14, 1848. 

Letter of General Scott, No. 44, February 2, 1848^. 
u General Scott, February 6, 1848. 
u General Scott, No. 45, February 9, 1848. 

Papers , omitted in the despatches heretofore sent , communicated to 

Congress. 

A. J. P. De Mora to General Santa Anna, April 13, 1847. 

B. Lieut. Col. E. A. Hitchcock to Major General Scott, April 24, 
1847. 


p 


26 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Washington, Nov ember 19, 1846. 

Sir: I have the honor to request that a treasury draft for fifty, 
forty, or thirty thousand dollars may be passed in my favor, on ac¬ 
count of army contingencies in the prosecution of the war against 
Mexico. 

u Army contingences” may not be the proper head under which 
this sum should be charged to me. The money is wanted for pur¬ 
chasing intelligence respecting the enemy’s numbers, positions, 
movements, and designs, or as secret service money. 

Quartermasters, from whom to draw money for such purposes, 
may, frequently, not be at hand, and it often happens that they, and 
other disbursing officers about head-quarters, may be momentarily 
out of cash, even for ordinary payments. A small sum, therefore, 
in the hands of the commander of the army, to be turned over, on 
the proper receipts, to disbursing officers of the different depart¬ 
ments, is of frequent necessity in the field. 

To meet all the purposes indicated, I should ask for a larger 
amount, but that I am reluctant to take the trouble and responsi¬ 
bility of a sum of more than fifty thousand dollars at once. Thir¬ 
ty thousand is the minimum sum—the amount deemed absolutely 
necessary. 

I make the requisition now, as it may take several days to 
pass the draught through the forms of the treasury, and I hope to 
leave Washington Saturday evening, or, at the latest, Monday 
morning next. 

It would be better to make the draught payable at New York, 
as I can ship the specie, with myself, from that place, say on the 
25th instant. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


War Department, 
Washington , November 23, 1846. 

Sir: The President, several days since, communicated in person 
to you his orders to repair to Mexico, to take command of the 
forces there assembled; and particularly to organize and set on foot, 
an expedition to operate on the gulf coast, if, on arriving at the 
theatre of action, you shall deem it to be practicable. It is not 
proposed to controly our operations by definite and positive instruc¬ 
tions, but you are left to prosecute them as your judgment, un¬ 
der a full view of all the circumstances, shall dictate. The work 
is before you, and the means provided, or to be provided, for ac¬ 
complishing it are committed to you, in the full confidence that 
you will use them to the best advantage. 

The objects which it is desirable to obtain have been indicated, 
and it is hoped that you will have the requisite force to accomplish 
them. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 27 

Of this you must be the judge, when preparations are made and 
the time for action has arrived. 

Vi ry respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 

. Secretary of War. 

Major Gen. Winfield Scott. 


War Department, November 25, 1847. 

Sir: A letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, was sent to Com¬ 
modore Conner, commander of the United States squadron off Vera 
Cruz, and by him has been transmitted to the Secretary of the 
Navy, with the remark that it is from a reliable source, and is cor¬ 
roborated by similar information obtained through other channels. 

It is deemed important that you should be in possession of the 
statements contained in that paper, to the end that means may be 
taken to ascertain whether they are well founded; and, if there be 
any reason to believe them true, that you may act with reference to 
the movements of the enemy therein indicated. 

A copy of the enclosed paper has been sent to Major General 
Taylor and to General Patterson. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott. 


War Department, 
Washington , December 7, 1846. 

Sir: I sent you, directed to New York, a copy of a letter with¬ 
out the name of the writer to it, furnished by Commodore Conner, 
indicating what was supposed to be the plan of operations of Santa 
Anna. I now send you the copy of a letter from Commodore Con¬ 
ner, written as long ago as the 30th of September, but just received 
by the Secretary of the Navy, accompanied by an extract from a 
letter of Mr. Black, our consul at the city of Mexico, to the 
commodore. I have no doubt that the Mexican policy is to carry on 
a guerrilla war, and avoid a regular battle whenever it can be done. 
Should they get some trifling successes in this way, they will be 
mightily magnified and the Mexican people encouraged. I do not 
doubt that a proper degree of caution will be observed to disap¬ 
point their expectations. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 


Major General Scott, 

New Orleans. 




28 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 2. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

New Orleans , December 21, 1846. 

Sir: Opposed by head winds, (northers in the Gulf orf Mexico,) I 
reached this place at the end of nineteen, instead of twelve days. 

I found here your communications of November the 23d and De¬ 
cember the 7th. I have also seen your letter (in the hands of 
Lieutenant Colonel Hunt) to the quartermaster general, dated 
the 11th. 

the latter paper I perceive that the vessels freighted with 
ordnance.and ordnance stores are to rendezvous at Pensacola, there 
to await my orders, instead of lying out an indefinite time off the 
Brassos. This is an excellent arrangement; but as I fear the new 
regiments of volunteers will most, if not all of them, be quite back¬ 
ward in their organization and embarkation, they will have no time 
for tactical instruction at Pensacola, or any where else, before a 
descent on the coast of Mexico, in front of the enemy. I beg, 
therefore, you will cause the chiefs of the staff about you to make 
the necessary calculations, and to push forward the new volunteers 
to the Brassos, so that as many of the foot regiments as possible 
may be off that point by the middle of the next month. Instruc¬ 
tions to the same effect will be left here, with Brevet Brigadier 
General Brooke, in respect to the four regiments which will pass 
out by the Mississippi. Such of the same corps as may arrive off 
the Brassos, after my departure thence down the Mexican coast, will 
find instructions to follow me. 

There is nothing late of striking interest from the army in 
Mexico, other than the death of Brigadier General Hamer, of the 
volunteers. This melancholy event is not known officially, but it 
is universally credited. 

At the latest date, Major General Taylor was supposed about to 
make a movement, with a part of his army, upon Victoria, via 
Linares. Surplus troops at, or within easy reach of, Tampico, will 
not be out of position for operations farther down the coast. 

I enclose a copy of my letter of yesterday to that commander. 
By instructions to the bearer, (Captain Montgomery,), I have made 
it almost impossible that it should fall into the hands of the enemy. 

I doubt whether my arrangements here with Brigadier General 
Brooke and the staff will be completed in time for me to embark in 
the Alabama, to-morrow. That steam-ship takes out many com¬ 
panies of the rifles. The Massachusetts and other steamers will be 
at hand, freighted, to accommodate me a day or two later. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


29 


[No. 1.] Head-quarters of the Army, 

New Orleans , December 20, 1846. 

Sir: I enclose, herewith, a copy of a semi-official letter which I 
addressed to you from New York, the 25th ultimo. 

A tedious passage only brought me to this place yesterday, and I 
now write by a safe conveyance, Captain Montgomery, who sails in 
an hour or two. I shall follow, the day after to-morrow, in the 
steam-ship Alabama. 

The particular expedition I am to conduct is destined against 
Vera Cruz, and through it, the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, so as 
to open, if we are successful, a new and shorter line of operations 
upon the capital of Mexico. 

The first great difficulty is to get together, in time, and afloat, off 
the Brassos, a sufficient force to give us a reasonable prospect of 
success, before the usual period, say the end of March, for the re¬ 
turn of the black vomit on the coast of Mexico. 

I have supposed that 15,000 land troops, including five of regu¬ 
lars, and the co-operation of the blockading squadron, desirable, if 
not absolutely necessary; but am now inclined to move forward to 
the attack, should I be able to assemble the 5,000 regulars, and, 
say three of volunteers. 

Of the new regiments of volunteers called for from States this 
side of Texas, I can hardly hope that more than four will reach the 
Brassos before the 15th of the next month, the day I have appointed 
for that general rendezvous; and I have supposed that the descent 
ought to be made, in sight of Vera Cruz, at an early day in Febru¬ 
ary. On all those points, and others connected with the invasion 
of Mexico, on this side of the continent, your advice is invited and 
will be highly acceptable. Perhaps you may be able to meet me 
on the Rio Grande, say at Camargo, or lower down the river; and 
I shall send an officer to you, at an early day, who will be able to 
communicate my views to you in greater detail. 

To make up the force for the new expedition, I foresee that I 
shall, as I intimated in my letter, of which I enclose a copy, be 
obliged to reduce you to the defensive, at the moment when it 
would be of the greatest importance to the success of my expedition 
that you should be in strength to manoeuvre offensively upon San 
Luis de Potosi, &c. 

It is not known that Brigadier General Wool’s division has yet 
joined you, but it is supposed that he is already on your line of 
operations. 

This letter is written in haste, to enable you to prepare the 
troops to be detached from your general command. 

Including the regulars and volunteers at Tampico, or on their 
way thither, I may now say that I shall want from you, say Worth’s 
division of regulars, made up to 4,000 men; two field batteries, say 
Duncan’s and Taylor’s, and 500 regular cavalry; besides 500 volun¬ 
teer cavalry, and as many volunteer foot as you can possibly 
spare—leaving you a sufficient force to defend Monterey and main¬ 
tain your communications with Camargo, the mouth of the Rio 


30 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Grande and Point Isabel. The whole of this force will be needed 
at the latter points by the middle of January. 

Until I can communicate with you again, I forbear further de¬ 
tails, and remain, with the highest respect, your most obedient 

cprv^nt 

’ WINFIELD SCOTT. 

P. S.—Troops at Tampico will be, perhaps, in a more favorable 
position for embarkation as a part of the Yera Cruz expedition 
than if they were at Point Isabel. I propose to leave but a small 
garrison at Tampico. ^ ^ 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

TJ. S. A., commanding , fyc. Sfc. fyc. 


War Department, 
Washington , December 14, 1846. 

Sir: I send you a copy of a letter written to the Secretary of 
the Navy, describing a plan ’for debarkation in the vicinity of Yera 
Cruz. 1 know nothing of the writer, nor can I find any one who 
does; yet it is quite evident he has some personal knowledge of the 
localities. I have thought it proper that you should possess a 
copy of it. 

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War . 

Major General Scott, New Orleans. 


No. 3. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

New Orleans , December 23, 1846. 

Sir: The steamer Alabama has been detained a day, greatly to 
my regret, in receiving freight and five companies of rifles; but I 
am in the act of embarking. 

I have just had the honor to receive your letter of the 14th 
instant. 

Enclosed herewith are copies of two letters, one to Brigadier 
General Brooke, and the other to Commodore Connor. • 

Please observe the suggestion respecting the rendezvous between 
the Island Lobos and the main, some sixty miles beyond Tampico; 
and if the information of the Navy Department should confirm that 
I have just received here, I beg that the ships with troops and sup¬ 
plies, destined against Yera Cruz, yet to sail from Atlantic ports, 
may be directed from Washington to rendezvous in that harbor, 
rather than at Pensacola, or off the Brassos or Tampico. Volunteer 






Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


31 


regiments which are not likely to be in time for the descent I am 
to make near Yera Cruz, may be excepted. The rearmost of these 
may be ordered to the Brassos. 

In haste, I have the honor to be, with high respect, your obe¬ 
dient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War . 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

New Orleans , December 23, 1846. 

Sir: Your position here, as the commander of the western divi¬ 
sion, is a most important one, in respect to the war against Mexico, 
and I know that you will continue, to fill it with your accustomed 
zeal, energy and judgment. 

The object of this letter is to throw together certain memoranda 
which demand special attention. 

Four regiments of new volunteers are to pass out of this river, 
and much materiel , for the theatre of hostilities, and many ships 
with ordnance and ordnance stores, perhaps also with troops, 
intended for the same destination, may rendezvous, in ten, fifteen, 
or twenty days, at Pensacola. As they may arrive, I wish the 
whole (troops and supplies) to be despatched for the Brassos San 
Iago, subject to my further orders; but the volunteers, ordnance 
and ordnance stores, need not arrive at that point earlier than the 
12th or 15th of the next month. The larger part of the former, 
will, I fear, not reach this place, or Pensacola, till a later day. 
Such you will order to follow and report to me, as fast as they may 
come within your command. 

Each transport should have on board subsistence for its troops to 
last (say) three months. 

Boats for embarkation and debarkation, now under construction, 
on the Atlantic coast, will come out with the troops expected from 
that direction. 

The current supplies for the army already in Mexico are not al¬ 
luded to above. Those will go forward as heretofore, subject to 
the changes of positions and numbers, and must always be kept in 
advance of the wants of the service. Every confidence is reposed 
in your able assistants, the chiefs of the staff here, Lieutenant Col¬ 
onel Hunt and Captain Grayson. Any company of regulars or de¬ 
tachment of recruits which may pass this way will also be pushed 
forward. All not under special instructions for particular regi¬ 
ments will receive orders from me, off the Brassos, whether I may 
be personally there or not. Besides the rifles, but few troops will 
be landed there. 

Captain Dimond, a commissary, attached to the volunteers, may 
be soon expected here from a confidential mission. Give him or¬ 
ders to follow me without unnecessary delay. 

It is quite probable that you will receive early instructions from 



32 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


me to give to troops and supplies which may come within your 
sphere, particularly after a given day, another destination, without 
touching at the Brassos. 

I have made you confidentially acquainted with my views and 
expectations respecting the further prosecution of the war, to serve 
you as a general guide in the support confidently expected from 
you, and the better to enable you to comprehend special instruc¬ 
tions. You will keep me constantly advised of the movement 
hence of troops and supplies which are to follow me, and take care 
to send all officers in health, and not under special instructions, who 
fall under your notice, to their regiments or to their proper sta¬ 
tions. Let there be no idling or lingering, on their part, in this 
quarter. 

Take particular care, through the quartermaster’s department, to 
forward rapidly all letters and packages to or from my head¬ 
quarters. 

I have just received information of a harbor, said to be a good 
one, between the Island of Lobos and the main, some sixty miles 
beyond Tampico. I shall probably desire you, in a few days, to 
direct many of the ships with troops and supplies-to rendezvous, 
after perhaps touching for orders, off the Brassos. Get all the in¬ 
formation you can touching that harbor. 

With great respect, yours truly, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Brevet Brig. Gen. Brooke, 

U. S. A., Commanding , #c., #c., fyc. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

New Orleans , December 23, 1846. 

Sir: You have, no doubt, been informed by the Navy Depart¬ 
ment that I am ordered to Mexico, and of the probability of our 
becoming, as soon as practicable, associated in joint operations 
against the enemy. I look forward with great pleasure to that 
movement. I shall do all in my power to render the combined 
service cordial and effective. Of your hearty reciprocation I am 
entirely confident. This is the beginning of a correspondence 
• which the objects in view will render frequent on my part, and I 
hope to hear often from you in reply, and on all matters interest¬ 
ing to the common service. 

You are aware of the point near which our more intimate asso¬ 
ciation will take place. I hope to be ready for the descent at a 
very early day in the month after the next. Every effort will be 
made to get afloat off the Brassos San Iago, and off Tampico, in 
time, the necessary number of troops. I have estimated twelve or 
fifteen thousand, besides the numbers you may be able to supply 
from the blockading squadron, to be highly desirable* but you may 
expect me, if I can get afloat, in time to meet you early in Febru¬ 
ary, ten, eight, or even five thousand men. The land force is ex¬ 
pected from the Atlantic coast, the Ohi ) and Mississippi rivers, all 









Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


33 


new volunteers, to be added to regulars and volunteers to be with¬ 
drawn from Major General Taylor. I have app inted the 15th of 
the next month for the assemblage of all int nded for the particu¬ 
lar expedition I am to conduct, off the two points mentioned above; 
but do not hope that more than three regiments of the new volun¬ 
teers will be up so early. I shall, therefore, have to draw more 
largely upon the forces already on and beyond the Rio Grande. I 
am aware of the usual return of the black vomit, early in April, at 
the proposed point of our joint operations, and hence shall not be 
able to wait for the largest number of lar d troops I deem desira¬ 
ble. This number will greatly depend on the force we may expect 
to oppose our descent from the open sea. I mean a Mexican army, 
in the field; not the garrisons and guns of any city or fort. Of the 
probability of our meeting such army, and of its numbers, I rely 
greatly on information you may be able to impart, and on agents 
which I have employed or am about to employ, in all, five or six. 
Those agents, as they may be able to get out of the enemy’s coun¬ 
try, are, or will be, instructed to report in writing or in person to 
you, or to some superior officer of your squadron, relying on your 
kindness to transmit the information rapidly to me, and beg to sug¬ 
gest that instructions may be given to board all* neutral vessels 
coming out of the enemy’s ports, after (say) about the 10th of the 
next month, in order to receive such agents or their written re¬ 
ports. Otherwise they may be compelled to return, or to report 
from the Havana. I Lope in time to be able to give you their 
names, and shall be happy to receive your advice and suggestions 
on this delicate branch of the service, and all others. 

I embark to-day for .the Brassos, and hence write in haste. 
Thence I may go up to Camargo for a few days, but wherever I may 
be, your despatches will follow me rapidly. Perhaps you may ap¬ 
propriate some steamer to our frequent correspondence. What my 
means of that sort may be at the Brassos, I cannot yet precisely 
know. Occasionally I may find a steamer for the purpose, at least 
as far as your vessels off Tampico. 

Upon information just obtained, I think it quite probable that I 
may appoint the roadstead between the Island of Lobos and the 
main, some fifty or sixty miles beyond Tampico, as a general ren¬ 
dezvous for the transports and other vessels with troops and sup¬ 
plies destined for the expedition in question. If a good 'harbor, as 
reported, it will serve and mask my views admirably. Please give 
me information on the subject, although I may be compelled to act 
to some extent before I can hear from you. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with the greatest respect, your 
most obedient sei ant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Commodore D. Connor, U. S. Navy , 

Commandih ; blockading squadron off the coast of Mexico. 


3 




34 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 4. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 
Matamoras , December 30, 1846. 

Sir: I came here this morning and found nothing but the same 
contradictory rumors which prevailed yesterday at the Brassos and 
the mouth of' this river. But an officer has just arrived here (for 
additional subsistence) from Major General Patterson, at San Fer¬ 
nando, who says, positively, that the latter had, on the morning of 
the 27th instant, official despatches from Major General Taylor, 
saying that he was about to return, with a part of his moveable 
column, to Monterey, in order to support Brevet Brigadier Gen¬ 
eral Worth, understood to be menaced at Saltillo by Santa Anna 
and a powerful army. 

This information has determined me to proceed up the river to 
Camargo, in order to meet despatches from Major General Taylor; 
and if his outposts should be seriously menaced, to join him rapid¬ 
ly. Otherwise, I shall, at Camargo, be within easy corresponding 
distance of him in respect to my ulterior destination. 

If the enemy be acting offensively, with a large force, which I 
yet somewhat doubt, we must first repulse and cripple him in time 
to proceed to the new and more distant theatre. 

No boat has come down the river in many days, on account cff 
the heavy winds, which make descent and ascent extremely diffi¬ 
cult. Hence, nothing, it is believed, has passed here from Major 
General Taylor’s head-quarters of a later date than the 14th in¬ 
stant. 

The steameivin which I write is ready to depart. 

I have the “honor to remain, with high respect, your obedient 
servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

I have received no communication from Washington since my 
acknowledgments at New Orleans. 

W. S. 

Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


No. 5. 

Head-quarters of tiie Army, 
Brassos San Iago , January 12, 1847. 

Sir: I had the honor to address you last the 30th ultimo, from 
Matamoras, and indirectly through Colonel Clarke and Brevet Ma¬ 
jor General Jesup, the 2d instant, while ascending the Rio Grande, 
some fifty miles (by water) below Camargo. 

Going up and returning, I was much delayed by the lowness of 
the water and heavy gales, (northers,) which are again blowing 







Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


35 


with such violence as to prevent all communication with vessels 
lying off this place and the mouth of the Rio Grande. From those 
causes my despatches, which are to go by sea, have been accumu¬ 
lating for many days. Please read those which accompany this 
letter. They contain everything of interest, known to me, re¬ 
specting the army and its prospects in this quarter, as I have no 
intelligence from Major General Taylor, later than his letter to me 
dated the 26th ultimo, and there has not been time to hear from 
Major General Butler in reply to ray letters to him of the 3d and 
6th instant. I transmit copies of all those papers, except the let¬ 
ter through Colonel Clarke and Brevet Major General Jessup, 
which was mainly intended to say that the march and countermarch 
of troops upon Saltillo, about the 17th ultimo, were caused by a 
false alarm. There has been a subsequent one about the camp of 
Brigadier General Wool, and others will probably occur at the ad¬ 
vanced posts, notwithstanding the inactivity of the advanced corps 
of the enemy at San Luis de Potosi. Such alarms are very pro¬ 
voking, and frequently cause the interruption of the wisest concep¬ 
tions and plans. 

I hope, in four or five days, to hear that Major General Butler 
is rapidly despatching the troops I have called for from his imme¬ 
diate command. No report from Major General Taylor can be ex¬ 
pected in twice that time. 

In a week I shall begin to expect the arrival, off this place, of 
ships with troops and supplies, destined for the expedition against 
Vera Cruz. After replenishing their water tanks, if necessary, 
from the Rio Grande, they will all be ordered to rendezvous behind 
the Island of Lobos, should I not change that purpose on hearing 
from Commodore Conner about that harbor. As yet, I have not 
had a word from him, nor from Captain Dimond, who came out via, 
the Havana. 

I do not, at present, doubt my arrival off Vera Cruz, with a re¬ 
spectable force, by the 15th, I hope, the 10th of next month. The 
delay will be in getting down, and embarking in this vicinity, the 
troops called, for from Saltillo and Monterey, and perhaps in the 
march from Victoria upon Tampico. I think four or five new regi¬ 
ments of volunteers, together with the ordnance and ordnance 
stores, will be up with me before the end of this month. I shall 
attempt the descent, &c., with even half the numbers I should wish 
to give to any one of my juniors for the same service. 

Should success crown our arms on the coast—and I will not an¬ 
ticipate anything less—I beg to repeat that a reinforcement of ten 
or twelve thousand regulars (new regiments and recruits for the 
old) will be indispensable, (about April,) to enable me to make a 
consecutive advance on the enemy’s capital. I regret to perceive, 
by the newspapers, that, as late as the 19th ultimo, no bill had 
been reported in Congress to give such reinforcement. Authority 
to raise the new regiments would not fill them or the old in time, 
without a liberal land and money bounty to every recruit. A like 
compensation in land should be pledged to the rank and file already 
in service, on the condition of faithful conduct to the close of the 


36 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


war. Without early legislation to that effect, I see no probability 
of a peace until another Congress shall give the necessary means 
to enable us to dictate one. 

For my early operations on the coast, I find sufficient means of 
land transportation may be spared from this region, and the quar¬ 
termaster general has my contingent instructions to prepare the 
large additions for my advance on the capital. He is now in New 
Orleans to procure additional water craft (lighters) for this terrible 
coast. Many of the old have been lost, and many more are likely 
to be wrecked. 

I have received from the department, since my last acknowledg¬ 
ment, nothing but a copy of your memorandum made for the quar¬ 
termaster general’s office at Washington. A mail from New Or¬ 
leans is expected on the abatement of this raging norther, by the 
steamer Massachusetts, on her way with supplies to Tampico. By 
her I hope to hear that the volunteers, boats for debarkation, &c., 
&c., are in a state of forwardness; also, that, among the brevets 
which the department considered as due, on account of the capture 
of Monterey, those of Brevet Brigadier General Worth and Colo¬ 
nel P. F. Smith, have been conferred. The early confirmation of 
the whole number would have a fine effect on the corps, which 
are soon to be led to more difficult assaults. 

I have the honor to remain, with high respect, your obedient 
servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

P. S. I find that I have omitted to acknowledge your communi¬ 
cation of the 14th ultimo, received as I was in the act of leaving 
New Orleans. 

I trust I may learn, in a few days, that a new assistant adjutant 
general, with the rank of major, has been appointed, as I do not 
expect to take one from either of the three major generals who are 
in Mexico. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War . 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

At sea , December 26, 1846. 

Sir: From New Orleans I had the honor to address a letter to 
you, three days since, of which I shall send with this a duplicate, 
via Tampico, by any safe opportunity that may offer at the 
Brassos. 

In that letter, for which I had no certain conveyance, I obscurely 
alluded to the attack we are jointly to conduct against the city 
of Vera Cruz, and through it, if successful, against the castle 
of San Juan deUlloa. The point of descent will not be determined 
until I shall have looked at the coast, and had the benefit of a full 
conference with you ; but I now suppose that the nearer to the city 










Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


37 


we land will be the better. Your knowledge of the beach (its 
shoals and surf) is, probably, already sufficiently minute. I, how¬ 
ever, throw out the suggestion that you may, if necessary, make a 
particular study of the subject before my arrival. Every transport 
will bring open boats sufficient to land her troops, and there will 
be others for the field-guns needed at the first moment. Orders for 
the construction of those boats, under the supervision of naval offi¬ 
cers, were given last month ; but I may need important aid from 
your squadron in this particular, as in very many others. 

I still think it probable that I may give orders for the transports, 
as they successively pass the Brassos, to rendezvous under the 
island of Lobos ; but will thank you for the earliest information 
and advice on that measure. Perhaps you may deem it necessary 
to send a vessel to make a cursory survey of the harbor. I have 
done all in my power to favor the speculation that my purpose is 
to attack San Luis de Potosi, from Tampico, after forming a 
junction with Major General Taylor, and it is important that this 
belief should prevail up to my arrival off Yera Cruz. 

I wish I could name a day, certain, for our meeting. The 1st 
of February may be about the time ; but, I fear, a little too early. 
I shall certainly be infinitely chagrined if I am not in a condition 
to attempt the descent, with your cooperation, before the 15th of 
that month. Of the new volunteer regiments, I have no encourag¬ 
ing information as to time , and the troops in Mexico are now 
much dispersed; some at Parras, at Saltillo, Monterey, Tampico, or 
in march for the latter place and Victoria. More than the half of 
the whole, old and new volunteers, as well as regulars, I now sup¬ 
pose to be indispensable to the success of my expedition; and I 
shall have to make the collection, in great part, from some of the 
most distant points I have named. The ordnance and ordnance 
stores, and other supplies will, I think, be up in good time. 

The water in the Rio Grande being low, it is now probable that, 
to facilitate the correspondence with Major General Taylor and 
the assemblage of the troops to be drawn from him, I shall not be 
able to ascend that river higher than Matamoras; but I may find 
time, possibly, to run down to Tampico in a steamer, even with 
the chance of being obliged to return to the Brassos. 

I have no recent official intelligence from the army, or the 
enemy, in Mexico. Perhaps the rumored movement of our troops 
by land, from Monterey, or Victoria, and from the lower part of 
the Rio Grande, on Tampico, may not delay, but rather quicken 
the new expedition, as Tampico may be a better point of embarka¬ 
tion than the Brassos. I have much to learn on these points after 
landing, (say) to-morrow. 

If not otherwise advised by you, in time, I shall order all the 
transports, after passing Lobos, to rendezvous under the shelter of 
the Sacrificios. 

I have the honor to remain, with great respect, your most obe¬ 
dient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Commodore D. Conner, U. S. Navy. 

Commanding blockading squadron off Vera Cruz. 


38 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

[Unofficial.] 

Head-quarters at Montemorelos, 

New Leon , December 26, 1846. 

General: Your note of the 25th, from the city of New York, 
was received on the 24th, on my route to this place. I avail my¬ 
self of the departure of Colonel Croghan, for Monterey and Ca- 
margo, to acknowledge its receipt, and say a few words about the 
movements in this quarter. 

You will, doubtless, have learned before this can reach you, that 
I had advanced to this point on the 17th instant, on my way to 
Victoria, when I was suddenly called back to Monterey by news 
from the front. On my way to Saltillo, I learned that the cause of 
anxiety about the safety of that place had been removed by the 
drawing in of Wool’s column, and the arrival of reinforcements from 
below; and after making all necessary arrangements for the ser¬ 
vice in that quarter, I resumed my march with General T viggs’s 
division on the 23d. To-day I halt here, and to-morrow move for¬ 
ward to Victoria, where I shall effect a junction with Quitman’s 
brigade, and with General Patterson’s command from Matamoras. 

At.Tula, say 100 miles from Victoria, in the direction of San 
Luis, the enemy has a corps of observation, under Generals Va¬ 
lencia and Urrea, which we learn has lately been reinforced. I 
am, on this account, anxious to visit Victoria and examine the pass 
which leads thence through the mountains. 

When my presence shall be no longer required at Victoria, I 
propose, unless otherwise instructed, to return to Monterey, which 
may be early in February. At all times and places I shall be 
happy to receive your orders, and to hold myself and troops at 
your disposition. 

I remain, general, with high respect, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding. 

Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, 

Commanding in chief U. S. Army. 

A true copy, received at Camargo, January 3d, 1847. 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. D. C., and A. A. A. General. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Camargo , January 3, 1847. 

Sir: I received here, soon after my arrival to-day, your letter 
of the 26th ultimo, acknowledging mine to you of November 25th. 

I am sorry that mine of the 20th ultimo had not been received 
by you, as it would, I think, have brought you back to Monterey. 
As it is, I am much embarrassed by your great distance from me. 
That circumstance, and extreme pressure of time, has thrown me 









Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


39 


upon the necessity of giving direct instructions, of a very impor¬ 
tant character, to your next in command. Please see herewith a 
copy of my letter to Major General Butler, of this date. Should 
you be back at Monterey in time, you will consider it addressed to 
yourself. A part of it I beg you to carry into execution, at Vic¬ 
toria, or wherever else you may be; I allude to the concentration, 
at Tampico, of the troops which marched with Major General Pat¬ 
terson from Matamoras, those under Brigadier General Quitman 
from Monterey, as well as Brigadier General Twigg’s brigade, 
which marched with you—all, as I understand, upon Victoria. 
Should you deem a garrison at the latter place indispensable, you 
will please leave one, and also reserve a sufficient escort for your 
return to Monterey, or other point, in this direction. I will, on 
my arrival there, determine the strength of the garrison to be left 
at Tampico; but shall be glad to receive your suggestions on this 
point, as well as all others. 

My letter to Major General Butler, herewith, is so full that I 
have but little to add, even if time permitted. You will consider 
yourself as continued in the command you have so long and so hon¬ 
orably held. I shall not, beyond the necessities of the service, in¬ 
terfere with you. Your reports will be addressed to me at the 
Brassos or Tampico, until I shall be farther down the coast of 
Mexico; I mean special, not ordinary reports. They will, when 
necessary, be forwarded by me to Washington. After I may be 
supposed south of Tampico, you will resume your general corres¬ 
pondence with the adjutant general of the army at the seat of gov¬ 
ernment, and report to me specially such matters as may be of 
common interest to our two lines of operations, and I shall recipro¬ 
cate. Our correspondence with each other ought, however, to be 
full, and as rapid as circumstances may permit. 

Should I succeed in taking Vera Cruz, and through it its castle, 
the new line of operations upon the capitol of Mexico will be 
opened. By that time, say towards April, we may both I hope be 
sufficiently reinforced to advance, equally, and to meet somewhere 
near that goal; which junction, I think, cannot fail to enable us 
to dictate an armistice that will insure a satisfactory treaty of 
peace. 

While engaged in attacking the harbor of Vera Cruz, I regret, 
no less on your account than my own, that you will not be in 
strength to manoeuvre offensively upon San Luis de Potosi, and 
points beyond. It would greatly favor my enterprize, and your own 
inclinations; but I cannot, on account of the near approach of the 
vomito , wait for the new troops (regulars I hope) which Congress 
may give us. Hence, I am compelled, by diminishing your forces, 
to reduce you for a time to the strict defensive. As I have here¬ 
tofore said, you can afford, and the common service requires it. 

If the troops arrive in time—and I will not anticipate a failure— 
I shall leave the Brassos about the beginning of the next month, 
and Tampico for Vera Cruz, some five days later. All the vessels 
with troops, ordnance and ordn nee stores and other supplies, as 
they arrive off or depart from the BrassoS and Tampico, will be or- 


40 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


dered to the general rendezvous behind the islands of Blanquilla 
and Lobos, some fifty miles beyond Tampico—said to be an excel¬ 
lent harbor. There I shall join them. 

I believe my arrangements of every sort to be complete; except 
that everything depends on my drawing from your command about 
5,000 regulars, and thousand volunteers. With those forces, 

and adding three or five regiments of new volunteers,(foot,) Provi¬ 
dence may defeat me, but I do not believe the Mexicans can. 

With the greatest respect, I remain, truly yours, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. Army , commanding , frc., #c., fyc. 


Official. 


H. L. SCOTT, Aid-de-camp , #’C. 


Head-quarters, Matamoras, 

December 27, 1846. 

Sir: I am informed, through a source entitled to consideration, 
that a force of Mexican cavalry, about two thousand, headed by 
General Urrea, has assembled at Lanares, and some two thousand 
infantry, which is to be reinforced soon by a like number, under 
General Canalesio; that the design is to attack Matamoras within 
six or fifteen days. The informant also states that Canales is at De 
Los Posos, (a rancho,) on the road from Monterey towards Rey- 
nosa; about 25 or 30 leagues from the latter place, and that he 
seen men going to join Canales. He declares, with apparent sin¬ 
cerity, that he believes the other facts to be as true as if he had 
been eye-witness of them himself. 

It seems to me that no time ought to be lost in re-occupying 
Reynosa, and reinforcing this position; especially if it be true, as 
generally believed, that General Taylor has turned back, towards 
Monterey and Saltillo, from his expedition to Victoria. 

I shall transmit copies of this letter to General Scott, who is 
understood to be at Bra»sos, and to General Taylor. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

N. S. CLARKE, 

Colonel , §th infantry , commanding . 

Major George A. McCall, 

Assistant Adjutant General , 

Head-quarters of Major General Patterson. 






Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

[Confidential.] 


41 


Head-quarters of the Army, 
Camargo, January 3, 1847. 

Sir: We are in sight of the above place, and I begin this com¬ 
munication to save time. 

Ascending the Rio Grande, I have learned that Major General 
Taylor has, a second time, marched for Victoria from Monterey. It 
is probable that he is now near that place. 

The copy of my letter to him, of the 20th ultimo, herewith en¬ 
closed, will explain to you my mission, and the necessity I am un¬ 
der of giving to you, direct, the instructions you will find below. 

That letter, I learn here, has been criminally delayed by the 
officer to whom I entrusted it at New Orleans, and hence may not 
reach its address this side of Victoria. A previous letter of mine, 
to the same commander, dated November 25, a copy of which I 
also enclose, has, as I have learned, had even a more tedious trans¬ 
mission. After a detention of some days at New Orleans, it was 
twelve more (on board a steamer) in getting to the Brassos, and only 
passed Matamoras the 19th or 20th ultimo. Hence, I may find no 
communication from Major General Taylor at Camargo, and hence, 
probably, his present absence from Monterey. 

I give these details as an indirect apology to him for my neces¬ 
sary interference with his general command, which, otherwise, 
would only be done through him. The apology will, on the first 
occasion, be made to him direct. 

To capture the city of Vera Cruz, and, through it, the castle of 
San Juau de Ulloa, I deem it indispensable, in order to anticipate 
the usual return of the black vomit, in March or April, that the 
whole expedition that I am to conduct should be afloat off the 
Brassos and off Tampico in the first week of Jhe next month. Some 
three or five of the new regiments of volunteers (not the Texan 
regiment of horse) will, probably, be up at the former point, in 
time to be included; but my principal force must be drawn from 
the troops now under Major General Taylor. Those already at 
Tampico, and the greater part assembled at Victoria, may be em¬ 
barked at Tampico, leaving a small garrison at Tampico and an es¬ 
cort to Major General Taylor; and I shall send instructions for 
the movement from Victoria upon Tampico. The remaining num¬ 
bers, needed from the same command, will move to the mouth of 
the Rio Grande, or Point Isabel, in order to embark off the Brassos. 
Tampico I suppose to be the better point for embarkations; but the 
Brassos may be the sooner reached, and time is an element in the 
expedition, as important, perhaps, as the number of the troops to 
be employed. 

Of the number of troops at Tampico, and assembled at or in 
march for Victoria—regulars and volunteers—I can form only a 
very imperfect estimate, having seen no returns of a late date. My 
information as to the forces at Saltillo, Monterey, &c., &c., is not 
much better. I estimate, however, the whole force now under Ma¬ 
jor General Taylor’s orders to be about 17,000; seven of regulars, 


42 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


and ten of volunteers. Two thousand regulars, and five of volun¬ 
teers, I suppose—the whole standing on the defensive—to be neces¬ 
sary to hold Monterey, Seialvo, Camargo, Reynosa, Matamoras, 
Point Isabel, the Brassos, the mouth of the Rio Grande and Tam¬ 
pico. 1 do not enumerate Saltillo and Victoria, because I suppose 
they may be abandoned or held, without hurting or improving the 
line of defence I have indicated. I wish to give no definite opin¬ 
ion as to either, or as to the other smaller points mentioned above; 
but to leave them open to the consideration of Major General Tay¬ 
lor, or, in the first instance (in his absence) to yourself, as you are, 
no doubt, in possession of his more recent views. 

[Here, (Camargo,) a little while after reaching the landing, I re¬ 
ceived Major General Taylor’s letter of the 26th ult., acknowledging 
mine of November 25. As he says he intends to proceed to Victo¬ 
ria—the point in the whole theatre of his operations the most inac¬ 
cessible to me, both from this place and Matamoras—I shall pro¬ 
ceed with my instructions to you, taking care to send him a copy, 
with such additions as I may deem necessary.] 

You will, therefore, without waiting to hear from Major General 
Taylor, and without the least unnecessary delay—in order that they 
may be in time, as above—put in movement, for the mouth of 
the Rio Grande, the following troops: 

About five hundred regular cavalry, of the 1st and 2d regiments 
of dragoons, including Lieutenant Kearny’s troop; 

About five hundred volunteer cavalry; I rely upon you to select 
the best; 

Two field batteries of regular light artillery, (say) Duncan’s and 
Taylor’s; and 

Four thousand regulars, on foot, including artillery, acting as 
infantry; the whole under Brevet Brigadier General Worth; about 
this time, no doubt, a Major General by brevet, and assigned to 
duty according to the latter rank. 

In addition, put in movement for the same point of embarkation, 
(the Brassos,) and to be there, as above, 4,000 volunteer infantry. 

Deduct from the above numbers, of regulars and volunteers, as 
fallows: * 

The troops at Victoria and at Tampico, less the garrison (say 
500) for the latter place, and the escort that Major General Taylor 
may need back to Monterey; and 

Also, one of the volunteer regiments at Matamoras, I having or¬ 
dered Colonel Curtis’s regiment to. remain there, notwithstanding 
tfie arrival of Colonel Drake’s to relieve him. Make no other de¬ 
ductions, unless pressed by the immediate presence of the enemy 
in great force. 

Some of those deductions I am myself unable to make, from the 
want of returns and other information alluded to above. 

Of the volunteers, Major General Patterson, Brigadier Generals 
Pillow and Quitman are at, or in march for, Victoria, which I sup¬ 
pose to be within easy reach of Tampico, in time for my expedition; 
and Brigadier General Shields is at the latter place. The President 
of the United States may appoint other general officers to the new 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


43 


regiments of volunteers, many of which regiments, I hope, will be 
up in time. In the latter case, I may take four or five, and leave 
the remainder to join Major General Taylor. Should another major 
general of volunteers be required, I shall be most happy to avail 
myself of your services with me, if Major General Taylor can 
spare you, and he be back at Monterey in time; and, perhaps, if no 
new appointments to the rank be made, I may require another vol- 
„ unteer brigadier general from your present immediate command. 

I hope to learn, promptly, at the Brassos, whither I shall imme¬ 
diately go, (stopping one day, perhaps, at Matamoras,) that the 
above instructions are in a train of rapid execution. The troops 
should all move with light trains, as they will move upon ample 
supplies. I shall, in the first instance, take from Major General 
Taylor’s theatre of operations hut a small part of his means of 
land transportation. 

Relying upon your known energy and good faith, I remain, sir, 
with high respect, your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

P. S. I expect to he, personally, at Tampico, to superintend that 
part of my expedition that is to embark there, towards the end of 
this month. 

The whole of the eight regiments of new foot volunteers will be 
up with the Brassos, I hope, by that time. Major General Taylor 
may rely upon three, if not four of them, for his immediate com¬ 
mand, and make your calculations for him, now, accordingly. 

I have supposed, above, that Brigadier General Wool, and Bre¬ 
vet Brigadier General Worth, with their troops, to be under your 
immediate orders. If not already so, you will assume command 
over them, in order to carry out the above, instructions. 

W. S. 

To Major General W. CL Butler, 

U. S. Vols ., commanding , Monterey. 

Official: 

H. L. SCOTT, Aid-de-camp , fyc. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mouth of the Rio Grande , January 8, 1847. 

Sir: I returned here to-day, and shall remain in this neighbor¬ 
hood, perhaps, till towards the end of this month, when I hope to 
be ready to proceed to Tampico and further south. Even after my 
departure in that direction, it will be best, probably, that letters 
from Monterey and its vicinity, should follow me via the Brassos 
and the ocean; that is, when no safe opportunity presents itself to 
write via Tampico. 

I addressed a second letter to you from Matamoras, of which a 
duplicate will go with this, and one of the letters despatched to 
Major General Taylor, direct, of the same date—January, 1847. 



44 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


I said nothing, in either letter, of quartermasters to accompany 
the troops 1 have called for from Major General Taylor’s command. 
A due proportion, no doubt, will be detached with those troops; 
and, should Colonel Whiting and Captain Sibley be of the num¬ 
ber, I shall be gratified, although I do not wish to ask, specifically, 
for the chief of any branch of the general staff now on duty under 
the orders of Major General Taylor. In this remark I include 
Colonel Churchill, inspector general. Colonel Croghan descended 
this river with me, on his way to muster into service the new Tex¬ 
an regiment of horse. I shall not interfere with the orders that 
he has received, and which, I suppose, will take him back, ulti¬ 
mately, to Major General Taylor’s head-quarters. 

If the troops that maybe detached in this direction are not rapid 
in their movements, they may not find the Rio Grande navigable 
above Reynosa, and should be directed accordingly. I shall hold 
the five companies of rifles here, under the temporary command of 
Major Sumner, 2d dragoons, until I can learn what number of reg¬ 
ulars I may expect from Major General Taylor’s command, here 
and at Tampico. My present expectation is, not to take those 
companies with me, but order them up to join that general officer. 
Major Burbridge was left sick at New Orleans. He may soon be 
expected at the Brassos with two other companies of the same re¬ 
giment. Captain Ruff is recruiting the 10th company at Mobile. 

I will add that Major Sumner is intended, by me, as the com¬ 
mander of the five hundred regular cavalry mentioned in my letter 
to you from Camargo. This intention I failed to give in either of 
my previous letters to Major General Taylor or yourself. Please, 
if practicable, communicate it to him, to whom this letter will be 
considered as addressed, if he (Major General Taylor) should have 
returned to Monterey, or within a short distance of that place. 
Otherwise, to save time, as I have heretofore said, you w r ill carry 
out my wishes without reference to him. 

I remain, sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Major General W. O. Butler, 

U. S. Volunteers , commanding. 

P. S. It is time that I should give advice that a spy, employed 
by my agency, may be expected at Monterey, between the 15th 
and 20th instant, with military intelligence from the capital of 
Mexico, and other important points occupied by the enemy. In¬ 
terrogate him fully, and give him safe despatch to me, if possible, 
before I leave this neighborhood. He is to receive his compensa¬ 
tion from me. I cannot yet give his name, but I desired that, 
though probably a foreigner, he might, on presenting himself at 
Monterey, give Thomas Williams as a concerted pass w r ord. 

The detachment of recruits (388) under Lieutenant Gore, that ar¬ 
rived here a few days ago, will be detained till I know what regi¬ 
ments of regulars will be detached for my expedition. 


W. S. 









Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


45 


[Confidential.] 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Brassos , San Iago , January 12, 1847. 

Sir: In reference to my instructions to you, dated at New Orleans 
the 23d ultimo, and at this place five days later, I have now to state 
that it is probable the troops I have called for from Major General 
Taylor’s immediate command, to embark here and at Tampico, will 
not retfch those points till late in the present month—say about the 
25th. Hence, I shall not regret if the ships with troops, ordnance, 
and other supplies, coming from the Mississippi and other more 
distant ports for my expedition, should be equally late in arriving 
off this bar. Please give instructions to all that may come within 
the sphere of your command accordingly—remembering that seve¬ 
ral of those vessels from the Atlantic ports may rendezvous, in the 
first instance, at Pensacola. 

Regiments, of volunteers which have to pass out of the Missis¬ 
sippi, and out of the harbors of Mobile and Pensacola, will be too 
late for my expedition if they arrive off this place after (say) the 
10th of the next month. I shall, probably, give orders for the land¬ 
ing of such regiments here, and for their joining Major General 
Taylor. 

I wish you to take particular care in causing all the ships which 
are to join or follow me to be provided with necessary fuel and 
water for sixty days, and, if practicable, ninety days. The water 
of the Rio Grande is not good for drinking, and there would be 
great difficulty in obtaining it. Spare casks of Mississippi water 
on board ships, without troops, may be easily shifted to the trans¬ 
ports with men and horses. 

I expect to leave this place to superintend embarkations at Tam¬ 
pico towards the end of this month. Till about that time I wish 
all the vessels of my expedition to call off this place, if practica¬ 
ble, for orders, and, if I am not here, to call off Tampico for the 
same purpose. Rut I do not expect to be at the latter place later 
than the 7th of next month. Three days later, I hope to be at the 
general rendezvous, behind the island of Lobos, with the whole, or 
at least the greater part of the fleet of my expedition. Some of 
the later vessels may find me there, and if not, join me behind the 
island of Sacrificios, near Vera Cruz. Assuming those dates, until 
you hear further from me, give instructions to all ships, with troops, 
accordingly. Some vessels, with ordnance and ordnance stores, 
may be much later. These, and all freighted with ordinary sup¬ 
plies, as subsistence, forage, &c., &e., must follow me, and, after 
I may b.e supposed to have reached the Sacrificios, without calling 
off the Brassos or Tampico. Concert these matters well with the 
quartermaster and commissary departments. Many pieces of ord¬ 
nance and quantities of ordnance stores may be expected to pass 
by New Orleans for my expedition. Get information of all those 
matters; see that nothing essential is delayed, and keep me well 
advised of every thing. 

I have not yet heard from you, and have no late mail from New 


46 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Orleans. We are now, I hope, near the end of the third heavy- 
norther we have had within a week. Probably the Massachusetts 
may bring us a mail to-morrow. 

Communicate freely, but confidentially, with the quartermaster 
general, the chief of the corps of engineers, and the surgeon gene¬ 
ral, if they are in New Orleans, and always with the principal quar¬ 
termaster and commissary stationed there; and I again insist upon 
your writing to me, officially, at least once a week. 

With great respect, I remain yours, truly, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Brevet Brigadier General Brooke, 

Commanding Western Division , &c., fyc. 


No. 6. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos , San Iago , January 24, 1847. 

Sir: I enclose, herewith, copies of the following papers: 1. Let¬ 
ters (two) from Major General Taylor to me and to my aid-de- 
camp, both dated the 15th instant; 2 A letter from Major General 
Butler to me, dated the 9th; and 3. A letter from Brevet Brigadier 
General Worth to me of the last date. 

It Will be seen that Major General Butler responded to my call 
upon him for troops with the utmost promptitude, and Brevet Briga¬ 
dier General Worth has made an admirable movement. The head 
of his division arrived with him, at the mouth of the Rio Grande, 
the day before yesterday. 

Embarkations shall commence the moment that the extra water 
casks, from New Orleans, arrive and can be filled. 

The Pennsylvania and Louisiana regiments of new volunteers 
were embarked at New Orleans about the 16th instant. A detach¬ 
ment of the former arrived off this bar the day before yesterday. 
I have not heard a word of the ordnance and ordnance stores, and 
other siege materials, since I left Washington. I trust that most 
of them are near at hand. 

There has been no mail from New Orleans in eleven days. The 
steamer Alabama has been hourly expected for some time. 

There is an allusion to 66 a general officer,” in Brevet Brigadier 
General Worth’s letter to me, of a very grave character. That 
officer is Brigadier General Marshall, of the United States volun¬ 
teers. In passing by his head-quarters, (Monterey,) Brevet Briga¬ 
dier General Worth made some hasty inquiries into the conduct he 
had reported to me, and obtained from Captain Lincoln, assistant 
adjutant general, the duplicate of a semi-official report, on the 
same subject, made by the latter to Major General Taylor’s head¬ 
quarters a few days before. I enclose, herewith, a copy of that re¬ 
port, dated the 6th instant. 

The despatches opened at Monterey by Brigadier General Mar¬ 
shall, and read and publicly discussed by him with many officers, 
and perhaps others, were my official letters to Major Generals Tay¬ 
lor and Butler, from Camargo, dated the 3d instant, (copies of 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


47 


which I have heretofore sent to the department,) together with a 
private note from me to the latter general. The official letter to 
the same was marked u confidential” conspicuously at the head. 
The papers, taken together, disclosed, very fully, the plans and in¬ 
tentions of the government, with the execution of which I am 
charged. They almost at once became generally known at Mon¬ 
terey, and, it was not doubted there, were rapidly sent off by Mexi¬ 
cans to General Santa Anna at San Luis de Potosi. 

This gross misconduct on the part of Brigadier General Marshall 
not having been presented to me in the technical form of charges 
and specifications , I am obliged to become his official accuser, and, 
consequently, under the new and strange provision of the act, May 
29, 1830, section 1,1 have no power to order a general court-martial 
for his trial. I therefore lay the case, through the department, 
before the President of the United States. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

P. S.—I hope, by the end of this month, that necessaries and 
preparations for embarkations here may be such as to allow me to 
proceed, with a detachment of troops, in the steamer Massachusetts, 
to superintend like operations at Tampico, should Colonel Totten, 
chief engineer, and Captain Huger, acting chief of ordnance, ar¬ 
rive as early. I expect by the two information by which to regu¬ 
late the movement of my expedition. 

W. S. 

Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


Monterey, Mexico, January 6, 1847. 

Dear Major: Lieutenant Anderson, of the dragoons, arrived this 
evening a bearer of important and private despatches from General 
Scott to Generals Taylor and Butler, those for General Taylor to 
be delivered to the commanding officer here for speedy trans¬ 
mission. 

Upon Anderson’s arrival, he inquired of the orderly or sentinel 
before Colonel Garland’s quarters “ for the commanding officer.” 
Was told that he was u within;” that Colonel Garland commanded 
the fort, &c. He asked for General Marshall, and was told that 
he was not here, &c. ; whereupon Anderson entered the house and 
delivered the despatches (saying “ they were important and pri¬ 
vate”) to Colonel Garland, who received them, saying u that he 
was not in command now, that General Marshall was, but that he 
would take them to the general, who would probably open them,” 
&c., &c. * 

The colonel left Anderson for the general’s head-quarters, taking 
the despatches with him. After reflecting awhile, Anderson, becom¬ 
ing anxious to learn whether the despatches were delivered to the 



48 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


commanding officer or not, called upon General Marshall, and en¬ 
quired if “ he had that evening received from Colonel Garland cer¬ 
tain despatches for General Taylor;” to which the general replied 
that he had, at the same time observing “ we opened them,” &c. 

It appears that the despatches were opened by General Marshall; 
were read and canvassed by himself and Colonel Garland; that 
General M. afterwards spoke of the contents to Lieutenants Smith 
and Anderson, observing “that they were very important, private,” 
&c.; “that troops were to be moved, certain strong places made 
weak,” &c., &c. 

I feel it my duty to mention this extraordinary course of the 
general, (it having been brought to my notice,) that you may know, 
if the contents are not designed to be made public, from whence 
the information comes; and further, if blame attaches to the act it 
may be placed in the right quarier. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

GEORGE LINCOLN, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 

Major W. W. S. Bliss, 

Assistant Adjutant General , Victoria. 


A true copy. 


H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 


Head-quarters Army, January 24, 1847. 


Head-quarters, Saltillo, January 9, 1847. 

General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt yester¬ 
day, about 4 o’clock, p. m., of your special communication of the 
3d instant, by the hands of Lieutenant Anderson, 2d dragoons. 

Instructions were immediately issued for the movement of all the 
regular troops in and near this place, of the commands of Brigadier 
Generals Wool and Worth, except two companies 1st dragoons and 
Capt-ain Washington’s light batteries, with General Wool and 
- Captain Webster’s company, with two 24-pounder howitzers in 
Saltillo. In addition, General Worth was authorized to attach to 
his command the 4th infantry, at Monterey, and Thornton’s and 
Hunter’s companies, at Camargo. 

The troops, together with those under General Taylor’s immedi¬ 
ate command, after deducting the escort for himself and a garrison 
for Tampico, will fully comply with your requisition for regulars, 
whilst the division of Major General Patterson will, it is believed, 
supply the number of volunteers, both horse and foot. I should 
state also that Blanchard’s- company of Louisiana volunteers, act¬ 
ing with the 5th infantry, and a company of Kentucky foot, with 
the 6th infantry, march with General Worth. If a further number 
be necessary, which it is believed will not, either the regiment of 












Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


49 


Colonel Curtis or Colonel Drake, at Camargo, could receive your 
orders in time for the movement by water. 

It is known that General Patterson’s division consists of one 
regiment of horse and seven of foot, which cannot number less than 
five hundred each, and the Baltimore battalion (three hundred and 
fifty) of foot. If the particular troops designated be deemed suf¬ 
ficient without taking an Indiana or Ohio regiment, General Pat¬ 
terson’s division and my own would be kept entire, which is 
extremely desirable. 

In regard to the selettion of the volunteer horse, it is understood 
that there is no difference between the Tennessee and Kentucky 
regiments, whilst the former is nearest the point of embarkation. 
The Arkansas horse I have not regarded, as the main body is at 
Patos, forty miles, and of this a portion is yet on the line by 
Monclova. 

According to your request I have relieved Lieutenant Lay, 6th 
infantry, from duty at my head-quarters, with orders to report to 
you in person; and your wishes with regard to Captain De Hart 
will be carried out the moment it is ascertained that he has been 
appointed an assistant adjutant general. 

The package for Major General Taylor was last night sent by 
express to him at Victoria. 

I respectfully enclose herewith copies of orders No. 23 and 24.* 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. O. BUTLER, 

Major General United States Army. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding United States Army. 


[Orders, No. 23.] Head-quarters, Saltillo, 

January 8, 1847. 

1. The 2d division will immediately proceed to the mouth of the 
Rio Grande, where Brigadier General Worth, its commander, will 
report to Major General Scott. 

The following additional troops are assigned temporarily to 
Brigadier General Worth’s command, and will receive his orders, 
viz : 

Five companies 2d dragoons, under Colonel Harney, at Aqua 
Nueva. 

Captains Thornton’s and Hunter’s companies 2d dragoons, at 
Camargo. 

Fourth infantry, under Colonel Whistler, at Monterey. 

Three companies 6th infantry, under Major Bonneville, at 
Incantada. 


* Orders No. 24 directs Lieutenant Lay to report to Major General Scott. It is not en* 
closed. See, however, order No. 23, herewith. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ GeW 


4 





50 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


2. Major C. Thomas, quartermaster, Captain G. W. Hughes, 
topographical engineer, will report to Brigadier General Worth. 
By order of Major General Butler. 

. L. THOMAS, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 

Major General Scott. 


Head-quarters, 2d Division, 

Saltillo , January 9, 1847. 


• General: Major General Butler received your despatches at 3, 
p. m., on yesterday. Having his verbal authority in the premises, 
my troops are in motion, and ordered to move as follows: artillery 
battalion, Duncan’s horse battery, moved at day-light this morning; 
5th, at 12 m., with Taylor’s battery; the 8th to-morrow morning; 
6th, three companies, is now entering the town, and will move this 
evening. Five companies of cavalry, under Colonel Harney, ex¬ 
pected this evening, being twenty miles in advance, will move to¬ 
morrow morning. I calculate the marches as follows; three or three 
and a half days to Monterey, seven to Camargo, five to Matamoras; 
all instructed, on reaching Camargo, to place invalids and superflu¬ 
ous baggage on steamers and continue the land route if, as I sup¬ 
pose, there be a deficiency of steamers and water. 

The corps are moved in echellon for despatch and convenience. 
Herewith is an informal statement of the command I shall bring. 
With Twiggs’s you will receive: 3d, about350, four companies; 1st, 
about 180; one squadron cavalry, (May) about 90, all told. I urged 
General Butler to let me take a fine battalion of Kentucky horse, 
well officered and commanded, but he declined, saying you would 
[have] 500 Tennesseans. As regards volunteers, I can give you no 
information; all, except the general, (Taylor,) are in total darkness 
as to their numbers or whereabouts, except Wool’s command, ten 
miles in advance. 


I am told that at Monterey your despatches were opened by a 
general officer, not him to whom they were directed, and read 
aloud to many persons! I shall enquire, and if I find such to be 
the fact, make you a formal report thereof. 

I delay to see my last battalion in motion, shall then proceed to, 
and pass the leading division, to make necessary arrangements at 
Camargo. 

Rely upon it, my whole soul and that of my entire (original) di¬ 
vision at least, will be thrown into the coming service. 

Very respectfully, general, 

W. J. WORTH, 

Brigadier General. 

Major General Scott, 

Commanding in Chief , 4rc., #c., Head-quarters. 


P. S. General B. has detained two companies 1st dragoons. 

W. J. W. 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


51 


Report of the strength of the several corps of the 2 d division. 


Corps. 

Command. 

officers. 

Non com. 
officers. 

Remarks. 

Co. F, 1st dragoons.... 

3 

84 


Lt. c. A, 2d artillery.... 

5 

61 


Lt. c. K, 1st artillery. .. 

5 

83 


Lt. c. C, 1st artillery. .. 
Artillery battalion. 

3 

36 


24 

442 


8th infantry. 

19 

408 


5th infantry. 

23 

397 


Louisiana volunteers . .. 

3 

73 


6th infantry. 

9 

196 


4th infantry. 

5th comp’y, 2d dragoons 

16 

300 

312 

Supposed to be about 300. 
Col. Harney’s command. 
Cap’s. Thornton & Hunter. 

2d comp’y, 2d dragoons. 

4 

160 

Total. 

114 

2,552 



This report is, in respect to some corps, approximative, but does 
not probably vary a dozen men. 

W. J. WORTH, 
Brigadier General. 

J. C. Pemberton, * > 

ls£ Lieut, and A. D. C. 

True copy. 

T. WILLIAMS, A. D. C. • 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Victoria , Mexico , January 15, 1847. 

Sir: The communication of Major General Scott of the 6th in¬ 
stant, accompanied by copies of his letters of the 3d to Major Ge¬ 
neral Butler and myself, was received yesterday. The original of 
his letter of the 3d has not yet reached me, nor have I any dates 
from Major General Butler later than December 28th. The com¬ 
munication of December 20th has never been received. 

I effected a jr. iction with Major General Patterson at this place 
on the 4th insta: , and have since been awaiting advices from Ma¬ 
jor General Sco , not doubting that I should hear from him on his 
first arrival at M tamoras, or perhaps from Tampico, whither a con¬ 
fidential messenger was despatched on the 6th. But owing to the 
state of supplies, it became necessary to move the command, and a 
movement was accordingly ordered in the direction of Tampico. 
The regular troops under Brigadier General Twiggs marched yes¬ 
terday. The brigades of Major General Patterson’s division march 




















52 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

to-day and to-morrow. This force will reach Tampico by the 25th 
instant, or soon after. 

The enclosed return* will exhibit the entire force now in route 
or about marching on Tampico from this point. I have retained 
Lieut. Colonel May’s squadron as part of my escort to Monterey, 
and also the Mississippi regiment, partly as escort to head-quar¬ 
ters, and partly to guard a train of supplies just arrived from Ma- 
tamoras, and which I deem it unnecessary to send forward to Tam¬ 
pico. No troops will be left in garrison here. 

As I presume that General Butler, under his instructions, has 
ordered the batteries of General Worth’s command to march with 
it to the mouth of the river, and as I infer from those same instruc¬ 
tions, that not more than two batteries are required by Major Ge¬ 
neral Scott, I have directed the return to . Monterey of Captains 
Bragg’s and Sherman’s. If I have mistaken his wishes in this mat¬ 
ter, I beg to be advised without delay, as the batteries may still 
join him in time. 

To the troops, regular and volunteer, marching hence on Tam¬ 
pico, may be added perhaps 300 artillery of Colonel Gates’ bat¬ 
talion, and the Alabama regiment, about 500 strong. The Ten¬ 
nessee horse will more than fill General Scott’s requisition for 
volunteer cavalry. 

Not knowing the action taken by Major General Butler, under 
the instructions of the general-in-chief, I cannot now write more 
fully. On reaching Monterey I may be able to give my views in 
regard to the wants of the service on the defensive line which it is 
proposed to hold. 

I respectfully enclose a return of the regular troops of the army 
of occupation for November: Since its date some 600 recruits have 
joined, exclusive of such newly organized companies (rifles or other 
corps) as may have recently arrived. 

• I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. army command?g . 

Lieut. H. L. Scott, A. D. C., or Chief of the Staff, 

Major General Scott's head-quarters , Brassos Island. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Victoria , Mexico , January 15, 1847. 

Sir : In a communication addressed this day to your staff- 
officer, I have replied to so much of your letter of the 6th instant, 
and its enclosures, as relates to points of detail; but there are other 


* The return transmitted by Major General Taylor exhibits the following force en route to 
Tampico : Regulars, 28 companies, with 72 commissioned officers and 1,393 non-commissioned 
and privates ; Volunteers , 63 companies, with 244 officers and 3,024 non-commissioned and 
privates—making a grand aggregate of 4,733. 

H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A . General . 







Ex. Doc. No. 56. 53 

and grave topics embraced in those communications, to which I 
deem it my right and my duty to reply directly. 

The amount of force to be drawn from this frontier, and the 
manner in which it is proposed to withdraw it, had never 'fully 
come to my knowledge until yesterday, though hinted at in your 
note of November 25. Had you, general, relieved me at once in 
the whole command, and assigned me to duty under your order, or 
allowed me to retire from the field, be assured that no complaint 
would have been heard from me; but while almost every man of 
my regular force and half the volunteers, (now in respectable dis¬ 
cipline) are withdrawn for distant service, it seems that I am ex¬ 
pected, with less than a thousand regulars and a volunteer force, 
partly of new levies, to hold a defensive line, while a large army 
of more than twenty thousand men is in my front. 

I speak only of a defensive line; for the idea of assuming offen¬ 
sive operations in the direction of San Luis by March, or even 
May, with such troops as can then be at my disposition, is quite 
too preposterous to be entertained for a moment. After all that I 
have written to the department, on the subject of such operations, 
I find it difficult to believe that I am seriously expected to under¬ 
take them, with the extraordinarily limited means at my disposal. 

I cannot misunderstand the object of the arrangements indicated 
in your letters. I feel that I have lost the confidence of the gov¬ 
ernment, or it would not have suffered me to remain, up to this 
time, ignorant of its intentions, with so vitally affecting inter¬ 
ests committed to my charge. But, however much I may feel per¬ 
sonally mortified and outraged at the course pursued,unprecedented, 
at least, in our own history, I will carry out in good faith, while I 
remain in Mexico, the views of the government, though I may be 
sacrificed in the effort. 

I deeply regret to find in y >ur letters, of January 3d, to Major 
General Butler and myself, an allusion to my position here, which 
I yean but consider an insinuation that I have put myself, willingly, 
out of the reach of your communications.. I beg leave to remark, 
that the movement of the troops in this direction, and my own 
march hither, were undertaken for public reasons, freely set forth 
in my reports to the adjutant general, one of them being my de¬ 
sire to place in position for embarkation to Vera Cruz, should the 
government order an expedition to that point, the force (two thou¬ 
sand regulars and two thousand volunteers) which I reported might 
be spared for that service. 

I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major Gen., United States Army , Commanding. 

Major Gen. Winfield Scott, 

Commanding United States Army , Brassos Island , Texas. 


54 


Ex. Doc. No. 56 


Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos San Iago , January 26, 1847. 

Sir*: I have received your two letters of the 15th instant. There 
are some expressions in those letters, which, as I wish to forget 
them, I shall not specify or recal. 

You intimate a preference for service in my particular expedi¬ 
tion, to remaining in your present position with greatly reduced 
numbers. I can most truly respond, that to take you with me. as 
second in command, would contribute greatly to my personal de¬ 
light, and, I confidently believe, to the success of that expedition. 
But I could not propose it to you for two reasons, either of which 
was conclusive with me at the moment: 1st, I thought you would 
be left in a higher and more responsible position where you are; 
and 2d, I knew that it was not contemplated by the government to 
supersede you in, or to take you from that immediate command. 

If I had been within easy reach of you, at the time I called for 
troops from your line of operations, I should, as I had previously 
assured you, have consulted you fully on all points, and, probably, 
might have modified my call, both as to the number and description 
of the forces to be taken from, or to be left with you. As it was, 
I had to act promptly, and, to a considerable extent, in the dark. 
All this, I think, will be apparent to you when you shall review 
my letters. 

I hope I have left, or shall leave you, including the new volunteers 
who will soon be up, a competent force to defend the head of your 
line (Monterey) and its communications, with the depots in the 
neighborhood. To enable you to do this more certainly, I must 
ask you to abandon Saltillo, and to make no detachments, except 
for reconnaissances a^d immediate defence, much beyond Monterey. 
I know this to be the wish of the government, founded on reasons 
in which I concur'; among them, that the enemy intends to operate 
against small detachments and posts. 

I fear that I may be delayed here, or at Tampico, in embarking 
troops, till, perhaps, the 10th of the next month, and again, a few 
days more, at the general rendezvous behind the island of Lobos, 
waiting for some of the volunteer regiments for debarkation, ord¬ 
nance, and ordnance stores. 

Finding that Colonel Smith, with two companies of his rifle reg¬ 
iment, are at Tampico, or in its neighborhood, I shall take with 
me his seven companies, now near the mouth of the Rio Grande, 
and, perhaps, Colonel Curtis’s regiment of Ohio volunteers, detained 
at Matamoras. My uncertainty in respect to the latter, refers to 
the number of new regiments of volunteers that may arrive in time, 
off this bar, for my expedition. I shall not take with me Captain 
Hunter’s company of the 2d dragoons, as it is dismounted. There 
will, however, be horses for it here, in perhaps a week. I shall 
leave instructions for him, when mounted, to ascend the river to 
Camargo, to meet your orders. No guard will be left by me at the 




Ex. Doc, No. 56. 55 

mouth of the Rio Grande. I give you this information that you 
may place a detachment there at your own discretion. 

I remain, sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Major Gen. Zachary Taylor, 

Commanding fyc. #c., Monterey. 

P. S. I beg you to make my official acknowledgments to Major 
General Butler, for the promptitude and zeal displayed by him in 
your temporary absence, in detaching the troops I called for in 
my despatch to him of the 3d instant. The greater part, if not the 
whole, of these troops are now below Matamoros. W. S. 


No. 7. 

* Head-quarters of the Army, 

Brassos San Iago , January 26, 1847. 

Sir: The arrrival, day before yesterday, of the steamer Alabama, 
from New Orleans, brought me a large mail. Among the letters, 
I have the honor to acknowledge th^ receipt of yours, dated 4th 
instant. 

In respect to Saltillo, &c., you will find, by a copy of my letter 
of this date, herewith, to Major General Taylor, that I have com¬ 
plied with your suggestion, in which I concur. 

The quartermaster general, (brevet Major General Jessup,) at 
New Orleans, has, I find, taken all proper measures, with judg¬ 
ment and promptitude, to provide everything depending on his 
department, for the despatch and success of my expedition. Trans¬ 
ports, casks, filled with water, &c., &c., &c., are, accordingly, 
expected to arrive here and off Tampico, before the 7th of the next 
month. The embarkation of brevet Brigadier General Worth’s 
division, I hope to commence at the mouth of the Rio Grande and 
at this place, within three or four days. 

Colonel Totten, chief of the corps of engineers, came out in the 
Alabama. He informs me that it is probable a sufficient quantity 
of ordnance and ordnance stores, together with the boats for 
debarkation, will be up with me, at the island of Lobos, by the 
10th of the next month. I regret that Lieutenant Totten, of the 
navy, who was of so much service to me at Washington, in plan¬ 
ning and sketching those boats, is not likely to be detached, by his 
department, for service with the expedition. 

From the appearance in the offing, I expect to hear, before 
night, of the arrival of new ships, with Pennsylvania and Louisiana 
yolunteers. 

I have not yet received a word from Commodore Connor. 

In a few days, I intend to request the United States ship the 
St. Mary’s, off this bar, to run down to the island Lobos, to give 
information, aid, and protection, to the transports, &c., which may 



56 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


assemble there; dropping despatches from me, at Tampico, on the 
way. I shall follow, a little later, in the steamer Massachusetts. 
I hope the ship of the line the Ohio may be off Vera Cruz in time 
for the joint attack on the castle. 

It is, I think, very doubtful whether the new regiments the 
House of Representatives has authorized to be added to the army 
can be filled in time, with the money bounty, without the grant of 
land. The last section of the bill, as passed by that House, 
directing that the “-said officers” shall be immediately discharged 
on the close of the war, may prevent many efficient captains and 
lieutenants of the present regiments from desiring transfers, with 
promotion, into the new regiments, because the contingency may 
happen in the recess of Congress, when the executive would have 
no power to retain them, by selection, as part of the new peace 
establishment. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


No. 8. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos San Iago , January 28, 1847. 

Sir : I beg your attention to the accompanying papers, (number¬ 
ed 1 to 6,) touching the conduct of Colonel Harney, United States 
2d dragoons, who is evidently seeking an issue with me to be tried 
by the President, and in succession, by Congress and the public. 

In the conduct of the important expedition with which I am 
charged, I think myself reasonably entitled to the selection from 
the mass of the officers under my command, of the chiefs of the 
staff, of the dragoons and artillery, and to send away, on any proper 
military duty, any senior officer of either branch of service, (I speak 
only of the regular army,) whose presence might interfere with such 
selection. Such right of selection has always been exercised by 
commanding generals in the field, who are, in their commissions, 
their lives and fame, eminently responsible for the results of their 
expeditions or campaigns. All junior officers, are, at least, in the 
first instance, only responsible to their commanders in the field. 

In my opinion, and on the high responsibility to which I have 
alluded, Major Sumner, of the 2d dragoons, is a much safer and 
more efficient commander of the cavalry in question, (companies of 
the 1st and 2d dragoons,) than Colonel Harney of the 2d of those 
regiments. That particular command is entirely too important to 
the success of my expedition, to allow me to leave anything to 
hazard which it is in my power to control in advance. 

I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect, your obedient 
servant. 


WINFIELD SCOTT. 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


57 


P. S. It may be proper to add that I knew nothing of, and had, 
consequently, nothing to do with, the arrest of Colonel Harney until 
I received the charge and specifications; although I saw a paper 
of instructions the day before, from Brevet Brigadier General Worth 
to an officer directing the arrest of Colonel Harney, if the latfer 
had, as had been rumored, resumed the command of the regular 
dragoons in question. I am, therefore, in no respect, “the accuser 
or prosecutor” of Colonel Harney in this instance. See sec. 1, act 
May 29, 1830. Brevet Brigadier General Worth, Colonel Harney 
and myself, are many miles apart from each other. 

W. S. 


Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


[ 1. J Head-quarters of the Army, 

Brassos Santiago , January 22, 1847. 

Sir : Major General Scott desires me to say, that upon the re¬ 
ceipt of this communication, you will turn over your command to 
the next stnior officer, and proceed yourself, personally, to Major 
General Taylor’s head-quarters, to whom you will report for duty 
with the dragoons that remain under his command. 

I am, very respectfully, &c., &c. 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 

Colonel W. S. Harney, 

2d Dragoons , £rc., Matamoras. 


[ 2. ] Head-quarters, 2d Dragoons, 

Matamoras , Mexico , January 23, 1847. 

Sir : Your letter of the 22d instant, directing me to turn over 
my command and to report, personally, to the head-quarters of Major 
General Taylor for duty, with the companies of my regiment there, 
has just been received. 

I cannot disguise my surprise at the unexpected nature of this 
order, and my extreme regret that it should have been given just at 
the moment when my feelings were deejfly enlisted in the success 
of an enterprise, in which I had fully hoped to share the dangers 
and privations of my regiment. It was my ill fortune to be 
separated from that portion of the regiment which participated in 
the recent actions with the enemy, and I looked forward with much 
pleasure and great pride to the time when I should see active ser¬ 
vice under th£ orders of Major General Scott. I shall not speak of 
the injustice which I consider to be done in separating me from 
seven companies <$f my regiment, and ordering me on duty with the 
remaining two. The bare mention of the fact, is the only allusion 
which I design to make on the present occasion, but it is proper to 
mention that those two companies, by a letter which I received yes- 




58 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


terday from General Worth, are expected here in seven or ten days, 
and that I was instructed to unite them with that portion of the 
regiment now here. 

This fact, I must believe, escaped the attention of the command¬ 
ing general, when your letter was written, and I now hope, that 
he will take it into full consideration, and reverse the painful 
order which I have just received. 

If other motives, to which I dare not allude, influenced General 
Scott in this decision, I have but to remark that it is natural that 
he should select those officers from whom he might expect a hearty 
cooperation; but that, to accomplish this, I do not believe he would 
do an act of injustice, and if my recent conduct can be taken as an 
earnest of my endeavors to further his views to the fullest extent, 
that I can appeal to it with the greatest confidence. 

I have turned over my command, and should it not be deemed 
expedient to change the order under consideration, I have to request 
that I may be informed at what point I may find the head-quarters 
of Major General Taylor. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. S. HARNEY, 
Colonel 2d Dragoons. 

Lieut. H. L. Scott, 

A. A. A. G., Head-quarters of the Army. 


[ 3. ] Head-quarters of the Army, 

Brassos Santiago , Januai'y 24, 1847. 

Sir : Your communication of the 23d instant, relative to‘ your 
command, was this morning received, through Brevet Brigadier 
General Worth, and I am directed by Major General Scott to reply 
as follows : 

When he made his arrangements, which now cannot be changed, 
to give Major Sumner the command of the regular cavalry called 
for by him (Major General Scott) from the army under the imme¬ 
diate command of Major General Taylor, he (Major General Scott) 
expected the detachments would be made up, in nearly equal parts, 
from the 1st and 2d dragoons. 

Besides the squadron of the 2d, with Major General Taylor, 
who, probably, will be ba^r at Monterey to-day or to-morrow, Cap¬ 
tain Hunter’s company of the same regiment is to be soon mounted, 
and to return to the orders of Major General Taylor. That general, 
it is presumed, (though Major General Scott has not given, and 
does not expect to give any order on the subject,) may, probably, 
unite the two companies of the 1st, with the three of the 2d, all of 
which will be under his command, and, also, a six<th company, 
(2d dragoons,) soon expected out under Lieutenant Sibley. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, * 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. G. 

To Colonel W. S. Harney, 

2d Dragoons. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


59 


[ 4. ] Matamoras, Mexico , January 25, 1847. 

Sir: Your communication of the 24th instant was received last 
night, and I hasten to return a reply. 

In my letter of the 23d I endeavored to explain my position, and 
to disabuse the mind of Major General Scott, in relation to any pre¬ 
conceived views he may have formed to my prejudice. It was hu¬ 
miliating to do so, but I deemed it my duty, in the present state of 
affairs, to make any reasonable sacrifice to preserve harmony, and 
to enable me to accompany this portion of my regiment into the 
field. Your reply has disappointed me; if not a revocation of your 
order, I at least expected that some good and sufficient reason would 
be given for depriving me of my regiment, or that reparation would 
be made to me for it in another quarter; with this view I relin¬ 
quished my command. By your letter referred to, you have not 
only deprived me of my regiment, but you have placed my junior, 
the major of my own regiment, in command of it; and the imagin¬ 
ary command, to which you have been pleased to allude, I consider 
as entirely inadequate to the one you would force me to relinquish, 
even should it ever be brought into existence. If General Scott t 
does not deem me capable of discharging my appropriate duties, 
he may arrest, but he shall not unresistingly degrade me. It is 
painful to be driven to this alternative. I have endeavored to avoid 
the issue; it has been forced on me, and I must abide the judgment 
of my peers. As long as I am a colonel, I shall claim the command 
of my regiment: it is a right which I hold by my commission and 
the laws of the land, and no authority short of the President of 
the United States can legally deprive me of it. In adopting this 
course, I feel that I am not only defending my own, but the rights 
of every officer of the army. It is true another course is open to 
me, but it is w^ell known by your presence with the army that an ^ 
important expedition against the enemy is at hand, and my desire 
to participate in it will not allow me to await redress by an appeal 
to higher authority. It is in full view T of all the consequences in 
which I may be involved, that I have taken this step. I do it with 
no desire to show a spirit of insubordination, but because I believe 
my honor and my character as a soldier involved in the issue. I 
have no hope that any thing I may say will alter your determina¬ 
tion: to discuss the subject further would be useless, and I have 
only to add, that I have assumed the command of my regiment, and 
will accompany it to the mouth of the river. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

WM. S. HARNEY, 

Colonel 2 d Dragoons. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commander-in-chief U. S. Army . 


60 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


[ 5 . ] 

Charges and specifications preferred against Colonel W. S. Harney , 
of the 2d regiment of dragoons. 

CHARGE. 

Disobedience of orders and insubordinate conduct. 

Specification 1st. In this, that Colonel W. S. Harney, 2d regi¬ 
ment of dragoons, having been instructed by Major General W. 
Scott, commanding the army, in an official communication bearing 
date Brassos Santiago, 22d January, 1847, u to relinquish the com¬ 
mand of that portion of his, the said Colonel Harney’s regiment, 
which had reached Matamoras, and then to repair to the head-quar¬ 
ters of, and personally to report to, Major General Taylor,” did fail 
to set out as instructed as aforesaid. 

Specification 2d. In this, that the said Colonel W. S. Harney, 2d 
regiment of dragoons, did, after having relinquished the command 
of the troops aforesaid, as instructed as aforesaid, resume the com¬ 
mand of the same; and that, after receiving the reiterated orders 
of Major General Scott, dated Brassos Santiago, January 24, 1847, 
and in defiance of such repeated orders. 

This, near Matamoras, Mexico, on or about the 25th January, 
1847. 

Testimony .—Written instructions of General Scott, dated 22d 
and 24th January, 1847. Colonel Harney’s letters in acknowledg¬ 
ment and reply, dated January 23d, and January 25th, 1847. 

By order of General Worth: 

J. C. PEMBERTON, 

First Lieutenant , A. A. A. General. 


[6. ] Head-quarters of the Army, 

Brassos Santiago , January 28, 1847. 

Sir: Major General Scott has just received a charge, with two 
specifications against you, signed by order of Brigadier General 
Worth; a copy of which I herewith enclose. 

Considering your well known and long continued personal hos¬ 
tility to Major General Scott, and that it may, however erroneously, 
be supposed that a reciprocal feeling has been generated on his 
part; and considering the perfect confidence that all may entertain 
in the honor and impartiality of our officers generally and almost 
universally, I am instructed by Major General Scott to say, you 
may, if done promptly, select yourself, from the officers near at 
hand, any seven, nine, eleven, or thirteen, to compose the court for 
your trial on that charge and its specification, and that he, Major 
General Scott, will immediately order them to assemble accord- 

ingly. 

As the troops in this neighborhood will be required to commence 
embarking, on the arrival of the transports, now hourly expected 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


61 


for them, a list of the officers to compose the court, signed by your 
hand, is expected by the return of the bearer, and that he will be 
instructed to wait for such list two hours only. 

I enclose, to facilitate your action, a list of the officers for court 
martial duty *at camp Palo Alto, from whom you are at liberty to 
select, as well as from the officers of the 2d dragoons, regiment of 
mounted riflemen, and infantry, at the mouth of the Rio Grande. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A . A. General. 

\ 


War Department, 
Washington , January 4, 1847. 

Sir: Some anxiety is felt here in regard to the position of our 
troojps in Mexico. Every thing indicates that it is the policy of the 
enemy to strike at our detached posts, or cut our lines of communica¬ 
tion. We are not fully advised what lines it is proposed to sustain, or 
what posts are to be held. The line, should it not extend beyond 
Monterey, is a long one, and a considerable force will be required 
to keep it open, and to hold that place. If, in addition to retain¬ 
ing possession of Monterey, an attempt should be made to establish 
posts at Parras, Saltillo, Linares, Victoria, &c., it is feared that an 
opportunity will be offered to the enemy to gain some advantage 
over us, at one or more of these points, or along the chain of con¬ 
nexion necessarily to be kept up with them. You are well ac¬ 
quainted with the present plans of operation. While engaged in 
an expedition on the sea coast, it is not proposed to penetrate the 
country beyond Monterey, with a view to its permanent occupation, 
though it is desirable to maintain a threatening attitude at that 
point. Monterey must be held with a sufficient force. Such a force 
being provided for that object, the remainder will, of course, be at 
your disposal, to maintain other proper positions, and to operate on 
the gulf coast, and especially at Vera Cruz. Your position will 
enable you to determine, better than can be done here, what should 
be the best disposition for the safety of our troops, and to disap¬ 
point the expectations of the enemy, who is undoubtedly watching 
for opportunities to fall upon them, while in detachments or small 
bodies, with greatly superior numbers. No positive directions will, 
therefore, be given touching these matters. 

It was expected that General Taylor would have deemed it ex¬ 
pedient to order the force under General Wool to join him at Mon¬ 
terey, and not to extend his line to Saltillo, with a view to hold 
permanent possession of it. At the last advices from Gen. Wool, 
he had not received orders to unite his forces with those under the 
immediate command of General Taylor; but it is hoped that before 
this time, the suggestions in my despatch to General Taylor of the 
22d of October have been received, approved, and carried into 
effect. The detachment which it is proposed to make from the 
forces at and near Monterey, for the expedition on the coast, will 



62 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


render it proper, if not indispensable, that they should be rein¬ 
forced by General Wool’s command. 

As a considerable part of the forces under General Taylor may 
be withdrawn for the expedition you are to conduct against Vera 
Cruz, it is urged that great caution should be observed in regard 
to the safety of those which may be left on the present line of ope¬ 
rations. 

If any reliance can be placed on the accounts which have reached 
us, as to the number and condition of the army under the command 
of the Mexican general, he could have rendered it difficult and 
hazardous for our troops to advance to Saltillo, and his retiring be¬ 
yond that place wears the appearance of a ruse to draw us far into 
the country in that direction, to the end that he may practice, with 
better hopes of success, his system of guerrilla warfare. If such 
be his object, I trust proper measures will be taken to disappoint 
him. It seems now to be generally understood that he is at Tula, 
with a large body of cavalry. The object of this movement ft not 
clearly perceived. The withdrawing of the Mexican force from 
Tampico would seem to indicate a determination on his part to 
yeld up to Tamaulipas to our arms; but the occupation of Tula, 
with a strong force, does not appear consistent with such a course 
of policy, unless he is apprehensive that we may move upon San 
Luis Potosi, through the passes of the mountains in that vicinity. 
Should we undertake to hold Victoria with a small force, might he 
not move from his present position at Tula against that place, and 
surprise it, or fall upon some of our detachments moving by land 
to Tampico'? Though the Sierre Madra is difficult to pass, and, 
with wagons or wheel carriages, impassable, yet may not the 
enemy’s cavalry find a way through the gorges of this mountain? 
It is not unreasonable to expect that some such movement is con¬ 
templated. It is, therefore, suggested that this matter should be 
well considered, and great care taken to guard against any surprise 
in this quarter. 

We have no news from Mexico on which much reliance can be 
placed; but from such information as we have, it is doubtful 
whether a Mexican Congress will have assembled at the time fixed 
for it, the 6th of December; and it is equally doubtful whether, 
whenever it shall come together, it will be disposed to enter upon 
negotiations for peace. Mexico is, undoubtedly, in a wretched con¬ 
dition, and without the prospect of improvement. A hope was 
entertained, and not now wholly abandoned, that the northern de¬ 
partments would see that their interests would be promoted by 
withdrawing from the central government, and forming an inde¬ 
pendent republic. Should any such disposition manifest itself, it 
ought to be encouraged, and those engaged in the movement should 
have all the protection and support from our forces that can be 
properly given to them; without any pledge, however, that its sepa¬ 
rate existence w T ill be made a condition in the treaty of peace 
which may be entered into between Mexico and the United States. 

We have not yet learned that Mexico is making any extraordi¬ 
nary efforts to assemble a large covering army at Vera Cruz, and 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


63 


it is hoped that you will not find a formidable force to oppose 
your landing. Securely on shore in the vicinity of Vera Cruz, I 
have but little doubt of your success in getting possession of the 
city, and hope the surrender of the castle will follow. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott. 


War Department, 
Washington, February 15, 1847. 

Sir: I*have received several communications from you since your 
arrival in Mexico. They will be placed on file in the office of the 
adjutant general, and the receipt thereof duly acknowledged by 
him. 

The several regiments of volunteers, called out before you left 
Washington, were organized with as much despatch as was expect¬ 
ed; nearly all have left for the seat of war, and we are ad¬ 
vised of the arrival of several of them off the Brassos. 

I am happy to inform you that the bill for raising ten regiments to 
serve for the war, has at length become a law. Had this authority 
been given, as I hoped and expected it would, within the first two 
weeks of the session, I am quite confident that we should now have 
had several thousands of these troops on the way to Mexico. Ap¬ 
pearances warrant the belief that they will be speedily raised. 
Many persons who are deemed worthy to receive commissions have 
companies already prepared to enter into the service. They will 
be sent on at once in companies; the regiments can be organized 
afterwards. I anticipate that companies will go on before the end 
of the present montt. There is so much doubt whether officers 
now in the regular army would take commissions of not more than 
one or two grades above those which they now hold, that it is not 
probable many will be selected for the new regiments. As these 
regiments are to be disbanded by express provision of the law 
which authorizes them, at the conclusion of the war, those officers 
who may be transferred to them would be in great danger of being 
thrown out of the army. 

The additional majors of the present regiments are already nomi¬ 
nated. They have been, as the law requires, taken from the cap¬ 
tains, and seniority, in all instances but one (and that for a special 
reason) has controlled in the selection. Some further legislation 
for the army is necessary before the adjournment of Congress, and 
I hope it will take place. 

The President sent a special message to Congress on Saturday, 
in which he specified what was deemed necessary. With this I 
send you a newspaper copy of it, that you may see what is recom¬ 
mended. 

I think it is not reasonable to expect that an additional article of 
war ; giving authority to military tribunals to try and punish certain 






64 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


offences not expressly embraced in the existing articles, will be 
enacted. I have had a conversation on the subject with the chair¬ 
man of the committee of the Senate, and understand from him that 
he had given it his attention, and did not consider legislation neces¬ 
sary, as the right to punish in such cases necessarily resulted from 
the condition of things when an army is prosecuting hostilities in 
an enemy’s country. 

Your expedition is a matter of deep anxiety to all, and certainly 
to none more than myself. Every possible effort, so far as I know, 
has been made in each branch of this department, to carry out fully 
and promptly all the arrangements which devolved upon it in the 
way of preparation and outfit. The difficulties have been more 
than were anticipated, but they have been met with energy. The 
time for preparations on so large a scale was short, and the 
arrangements multifarious; the execution of some depended on the 
prior execution of others. Delays to some extent were unavoidable; 
but I trust none have occurred which will result in a serious detri¬ 
ment to the service; none which any one well acquainted with our 
condition and what was required to be done, would not have ex¬ 
pected. We are expecting daily information from you, and calcu¬ 
late that the next we receive will apprise us that you have em¬ 
barked and arq on your way to the point of your destination. The 
account you give of the frequency and violence of the u terrible 
northers” is to me a source of deep anxiety. They are, in my 
judgment, the most formidable enemy you will have to encounter. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant* 

W. L. MARCY. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. Army , Mexico. 


War Department, 
Washington , February 22, 1847. 

Sir: I have received your letter of the 28th ultimo, (No. 8,) 
with the enclosures, numbered from 1 to 6, inclusive, in relation to 
the arrest of Colonel W. S. Harney. These papers have been sub¬ 
mitted to the President, and I am directed by him to say that he 
regrets the occurrence. Recognizing, as he does to the fullest 
extent, your rights as commanding general in the field, and dis¬ 
posed to sustain you in the ample exercise of them, he is not at 
liberty, as commander-in-chief, to overlook the consideration that 
the officers under you have their rights, which it is equally his duty 
to sustain. 

In the case as you have presented it, he does not discover a suf¬ 
ficient cause for the order depriving Colonel Harney of the com¬ 
mand which appropriately belonged to him, and devolving it upon 
his inferior in rank. Without intending to approve of the conduct 
of Colonel Harney in disobeying your orders, the President deems 
it proper to apprise you of his opinion that Colonel Harney had 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


65 


good cause to complain of that order, as derogatory to his rights, 
and he hopes that the matter has been reconsidered by you, and 
that the colonel has been restored to his appropriate command. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 

Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding the army of the U. States in Mexico. 


No. 9. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos San Iago : February 4, 1847. 

Sir: No mail has arrived from New Orleans since I had the 
honor to address you the 28th ultimo. Two steamers are now due 
from that place. Neither may be expected to return in several 
weeks, as all will be needed, probably, to take troops, &c., south. 
This despatch will go to-day by a return schooner. 

Though many ships, doubtless, must now be nearly up to receive 
the troops waiting here and at Tampico, not one has arrived. The 
Saint Louis, from Philadelphia, freighted with boats of debarka¬ 
tion, &c., is off this bar, and we know nothing of the near approach 
of any ship with ordnance, ordnance stores, and other siege mate¬ 
rials. 

I am becoming exceedingly anxious for the arrival of ail the 
vessels that are due. The season for operations on the coast is 
already short, and I am personally wanted at Tampico and Lobos. 
I cannot, however, leave here without some certainty as to the 
near approach of essentials. 

The 1st Pennsylvania regiment of volunteers, the Louisiana vol¬ 
unteers, and a part of the New York volunteers, had passed this 
place before my general order (No. 6) of the 30th ultimo. At 
that date, I intended to take with me four regiments of the new 
volunteers only, leaving the remainder for Major General Taylor. 
The three mentioned, being up, in whole or in part, were ordered to 
Lobos; and wishing, as far as practicable, to keep regiments of 
the same State together, the 2d Pennsylvania was designated (in 
orders No. 6) to follow, making the four regiments. This regi¬ 
ment, and the 2d Mississippi, were then known to be at New Or¬ 
leans, where they have been detained, I learn, by an unusual de¬ 
gree of sickness. When the latter comes up, it will go, under 
that order, to join the 1st Mississippi regiment with Major General 
Taylor. 

But a fifth—the South Carolina regiment—has, by some mistake 
at New Orleans, sailed, I learn, direct from Mobile for Lobos. 
This I do not now regret, as information received yesterday makes 
it necessary that the expedition I am to conduct shall be augmented 
to the utmost within my power. 

I reported in my despatch to you of the 24th ultimo, that my 

5 




66 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


confidential letters to Major Generals Taylor and Butler from 
Camargo, had been improperly opened and made public at Mon¬ 
terey before they had reached those generals; and I added, that it 
was believed there generally the substance of those letters had 
been, by Mexicans, promptly communicated to the enemy at San 
Luis de Potosi. 

It is now believed, on the authority of a letter not official, that my 
despatches to the same generals, (of the 3d ultimo,) being sent off 
by the latter at Saltillo, to the former, then marching towards Vic¬ 
toria, by 2d Lieutenant Richey, 5th infantry, ■ and ten mounted 
men, were met by a party of the enemy, about the 11th ultimo, 
and the detachment all captured or killed. If Lieutenant Richey 
(reported as being slain) had not time to destroy the despatches 
about his person, (which is highly improbable,) General Sr.nta 
Anna, at San Luis de Potosi, had them, no doubt, in four days 
after their capture. It is, consequently, more than possible that, 
before this time, the greater part of the Mexican army lately as¬ 
sembled at San Luis de Potosi has reached Vera Cruz, or its 
vicinity. Major General Taylor’s mind has no doubt, ere this, 
arrived at the same conclusion; and I shall write to suggest to 
him, at his own discretion, the advantage of manoeuvring offen¬ 
sively in the direction of San Luis de Potosi, after being partially 
reinforced with some of the new regiments of volunteers. The 
suggestion would be unnecessary but for the intimations he has 
received to stand on the defensive. 

Another painful rumor, generally credited, reached me yester¬ 
day—the capture, at Encarnacion, some 60 miles in advance of Sal¬ 
tillo, of Majors Bolen and Gaines, and about 80 men of the Ar¬ 
kansas and Kentucky mounted volunteers. The private letter, 
from a highly intelligent officer at Saltillo, represents that not a 
shot was fired by either party. 

I shall esteem myself happy if, contrary to present hopes, I shall 
soon be able to contradict both, or either of these painful rumors. 

To elucidate my position, acts, and expectations, I enclose, here¬ 
with, copies of many papers. Letters from Major General Patter¬ 
son, Commodore Connor, Brevet Brigadier General Worth, Colonel 
Harney, Commander Saunders, of the United States ship St. Mary’s, 
and Captain Hetzell, senior of the quartermaster’s department at 
this place, together with letters from me to each of those officers, 
except Commodore Connor, to whom I have not written directly 
since December 27. 

I also put under cover my letter to the commanding officer at 
Matamoras, respecting a seizure of certain goods, now in charge 
of the military authority there. Please see, in connexion, the let¬ 
ter to me from Brevet Brigadier General Worth. By whom the 
goods were originally seized, for whose benefit, or under what pre¬ 
text, 1 have not had time to inquire; but the marshal of Texas,, 
with a lawyer, has called upon me to revoke my order in the case^ 
so as to enable him (the marshal) to get a colorable possession of 
the property. Believing that there was something mysterious, if 
not wrong, in the pursuit; that the goods had never been within 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


67 


the limits of Texas, and that the whole case had been placed be¬ 
fore the Secretary of the Treasury, I would not revoke the instruc¬ 
tions I had given. The property, of course, will be held, so far 
as I am concerned, until the Secretary of the Treasury, or the gov¬ 
ernment, shall decide the question. 

It will be seen by the papers, including the proceedings of the 
general court martial in thp case, that Colonel Harney, after his 
trial, and under my renewed order directing him to proceed to Mon¬ 
terey, &c., addressed a letter, in a proper tone of submission, to 
Brevet Brigadier General W-orth; and that, thereupon, contrary to 
my original intention, I gave that general instructions to place the 
colonel in command of the regular dragoons (parts of the 1st 
and 2d regiments) of the expedition. 

Colonel Curtis’s Ohio regiment of volunteers, at Matamoras, 
heretofore mentioned in some of my letters, I have finally deter¬ 
mined to leave under the orders of Major General Taylor, accord¬ 
ing to his wish, and that of Major General Butler; and because a 
sufficient number of the new volunteers are likely to be up before 
the arrival of the transports to take the troops now ready to em¬ 
bark with me. 

I hope in a day or two, by arrivals here, to receive such infor¬ 
mation of supplies in arrear as to allow me to proceed with 350 
men, on board the steamer Massachusetts, to Tampico, &c. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 

P. S. Another detachment of the New York volunteers, under 
the command of Captain Shaw, has just been reported to me as on 
board the ship Isabel, off this bar. The detachment took on board 
water for thirty-five days only, and has now a supply for nine 
days, with rations for about twenty, having consumed a large part 
of both water and provisions at anchor before sailing. Of course 
I should land the detachment at once, but that a part of the regi¬ 
ment is already at or near Lobos, equally, I suppose, short of water. 
Little or none can be obtained there. This is quite an embar¬ 
rassment, considering our deficiency in lighters here, and at the 
mouth of the Rio Grande. All the transports from the Mississippi 
and Mobile, were ordered by me to take water for seventy days at 
least. 


W. S. 





68 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

Commodore Connor to Major General Scott . 

U. S. Frigate Raritan, 

Anton Lizardoj January 11, 1847. 

Sir: Your esteemed favor of the 23d ultimo was received two 
days since, by the United States ship Albany, from Pensacola. 

I had received, some days previously, communications from the 
Navy Department, apprizing me of your* being about to take com¬ 
mand of the army in Mexico, and of the joint operations contem¬ 
plated against the enemy. In the prosecution of these measures, 
you may rely on the cordial co-operation of the naval forces under 
my command. 

In consequence of some apprehensions being entertained of an 
attack from Mexican privateers, supposed to be fitting out in the 
Island of Cuba, I despatched the St. Mary’s some days since to the 
Brassos, for the protection of the transports before that place. 
Commander Saunders is directed to perform any service you may 
require of him; and as I attach little credit to the report concern¬ 
ing the privateers, the St. Mary’s might be withdrawn from the 
Brassos, without much risk to the transports, to carry your des¬ 
patches to me, or to Tampico, should you wish to communicate 
with that place. I would employ steamboats for the purpose of 
communicating with you, but unfortunately, with the exception of 
the Princeton, (and she is in very bad condition, and scarcely fit to 
keep the sea,) I have no steamer that is capable of making the pas¬ 
sage to the Brassos with certainty or safety at this season of the 
year. 

My information from the shore, in regard to the movements of 
the enemy, has not of late been either so full or so exact as could 
be desired. From a source, however, which I believe may be re¬ 
lied upon, I learn that there are now about one thousand men in 
the castle; and in the town, eighteen hundred effective men, inde¬ 
pendent of the town militia, who do not amount to one thousand 
men. The provisions in the town or castle seldom or never exceed 
a supply for three or four days. In this matter all accounts con¬ 
cur. I am not aware of there being any regular force of any con¬ 
sequence between Vera Cruz and Mexico. There possiby may be 
a regiment or more at Xalapa, and also at La Puebla, and the city 
of Mexico; but this I think doubtful, as great exertions have been 
made by Santa Anna to assemble the whole regular force of the 
country at San Luis. The national guards, or such numbers as can 
be armed, have in some instances garrisoned the towns, from which 
the troops of the line have been withdrawn. Such, it is believed, 
has been the case in most, if not all of those above mentioned. I am, 
therefore, of opinion, little opposition is to be expected from any¬ 
thing like a regular army in your descent on ihe coast, or from any 
other force than that within the city of Vera Cruz. Nor do I be- 
lieve it in the power of the Mexican government to assemble a 
force in a reasonable time in the neighborhood of the c4ty sufficient 
for its protection. 

No neutral vessels are permitted to enter or depart from'the har- 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


69 


bor of Vera Cruz, except the English steam packets that arrive on 
the 14th and sail on the 2d of every month. Your agents may 
either avail themselves of these vessels, which I will direct to be 
boarded at their departure, or be conveyed on board the vessels 
blockading the port, by means of the fishing boats, which are still 
allowed to pass out to sea for the purpose of fishing. 

The vessels of the squadron have all been withdrawn from Tam¬ 
pico; but I will send one to that place without delay, for the pur¬ 
pose of bringing any despatch you‘may find it convenient to send 
to that place for me. 

I am informed there is good shelter at the Isle of Lobos for any 
number of vessels; but no water is to be obtained there. Never¬ 
theless, it is highly important the transports employed should be 
well found with ground tackle , to enable them, even in the most 
sheltered positions, to ride out in safety the sudden and violent 
gales from the north, so frequent* at this season of the year. This 
anchorage is considered one of the best and safest on the coast, yet 
in the gale of the 24th of November, three vessels either foundered 
or were driven on shore from their anchors in this road, and lost. 
A gale is now blowing, in which, during the last night, this ship 
parted one of her best cables, and was only saved from imminent 
danger of being wrecked, by others which were down bringing 
her up v . 

Some reduction has occurred lately in the naval force in the 
gulf, by the withdrawal of the Cumberland and Mississippi. Still, 
it is probable I should be able to land upwards of six hundred sea-, 
men and marines. 

I have the honor, &c., &c., 

D. CONNOR. 


Head-quarters, 2d Division, Army of Occupation, 
Tampico , January 24, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note 
of the 6th instant, from Matamoras, inclosing despatches for Major 
General Taylor, which reached me at Victoria on the 14th instant, 
and were delivered to, the general, at that place, the same day. 

I have to report my arrival at this place yesterday, with the 1st 
regular division, under command of Brigadier General Twiggs. 
The 1st brigade of the second division of volunteers, commanded 
by Brigadier General Pillow, will be in this vicinity to-day; and 
the 2d brigade, with Brigadier General Quitman, will reach the 
same ground to-morrow. 

I have not yet received a return of General Twiggs’s command, 
having only joined him on the route. The aggregate of the 2d 
division is 3,714. The aggregate of regulars and volunteers under 
the command, at present, of Brigadier General Shields, agreeably to 
a return received this morning, is 1,726. The force under General, 



70 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Twiggs is not far from 1,460. So that the grand aggregate of the 
troops in this vicinity is 6,900.* 

I have the honor to be, &c., &c., 

R. PATTERSON, 

Major General , U. S. A. : Commanding. 
First Lieut. H. L. Scott, 

Aide-de-camp , #c., Head-quarters of the Army , fyc. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos San Iago , January 29, 1847. 

Sir: I wrote to Brigadier General Shields, then commanding at 
Tampico, on the 13th and the 21st instant—the second letter by 
the steamer Massachusetts; but, as she has not returned, though 
many days behind time, I have not a line in reply. 

I hope you and the brigades of Twiggs, Pillow, and Quitman, 
are all at Tampico. A letter from Major General Taylor, of the 
15th instant, informs me that he had given you that destination. 

Transports have been taken up, in New Orleans, for all the 
troops who are to compose my expedition, and embarked here and 
at Tampico. They will begin to arrive, probably, about the same 
time at both places. Not one is, yet, as far as we know, off this 
bar; but the troops from Saltillo and Monterey (regulars) are at 
hand. 

The troops with you may begin to embark as soon as you have 
•transports—the infantry first, for two reasons: 1st. Horses suffer 
more on board ship than men; and 2d. It is doubtful whether we 
shall have, in all, transports to accommodate the Tennessee horse 
with you, or other volunteer cavalry. 

Embark no battery of light artillery until you again see or hear 
from me. The garrison of Tampico to be left. You will desig¬ 
nate provisionally, say one company of artillery, and three hun¬ 
dred infantry, the latter mostly or entirely volunteers. On my 
arrival, and after consultation with you, I shall be more definite 
on these points, and, at the same time, name the commander of the 
garrison. 

Brigadier General Shields has with him, I think, no organized 
brigade of volunteers. It is my intention to embrace him in the 
expedition, and to furnish him with a suitable command under 
you. 

At least four new r regiments of volunteers are up with this place, 
or are known to be this side of New Orleans; but the ordnance, 
ordnance stores, and boats of debarkation, may be not so near me. 
I am waiting for information on those matters, for the arrival of 
transports for the regulars in this neighborhood, and for the return 


* Note. —The force under Brevet Brigadier General Worth, is 3,260. Five regiments of 
new volunteers, (say) 3,500. So that the grand aggregate of General Scott’s expedition 
will be 13,660. Of this number, including the garrison to be left at Tampico, 5,741 are 
regulars. 

H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. General. 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 71 

of the Massachusetts. In her, I hope to be at Tampico in less than 
ten days. 

Let all transports, as soon as troops are on board, proceed to the 
general rendezvous behind the island of Lobos. See general 
orders No. 1, and my note of the 21st. instant to Brigadier General 
Shields. 

I remain, sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Major General R. Patterson, 

United States Volunteers, Commanding fyc., Sfc. 


Brigadier General Worth to Major General Scott. 

Palo Alto, January 30, 1847. 

General: The bearer of this will present to your consideration 
a very remarkable case, seeming to call for the interposition of 
your authority. I heard some time since of this seizure. At that 
time, the principle involved in the case had not been laid down by 
the treasury; but, since, rules adverse, if you please, to the impor¬ 
ters, have been established—meantime, however, the property was 
held under military guard, subject to the decision at Washington, 
where the matter was submitted by the party interested. Pending 
that arbitrament, and in a case involving the right of a neutral, the 
marshal of Texas presents himself on the west bank of the Rio 
Grande, and demands this property, in order to take it to Galveston 
for adjudication. How comes that officer, of rightful authority, 
beyond his jurisdiction! He cannot cross that boundary to arrest 
a murderer, much less to exercise civil authority; and how Colonel 
Clarke could relinquish his hold of the property, is, to my mind, 
totally inexplicable. 

Very respectfully yours, 

W. J. WORTH. 


Major General Scott to Colonel JV. S. Clarke , or commanding 
officer United States forces at Matamoras. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos San Iago , January 31, 1847. 

Sir: A case of great apparent hardship has just been presented 
to me, relating to the seizure of certain goods, some time since, 
belonging to the commercial house of Charles Ulhde & Co., of 
Matamoras, which goods are now said to be stored in that city, 
under the care of our military authority. It is further alleged that 
those goods are now demanded by the marshal of Texas, in order 
to be transferred to Galveston for adjudication, although they were 





72 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


never landed on the left bank of the Rio Grande, and, therefore, 
it may be never within the limits of Texas. 

As the legality of the seizure is understood now to be before the 
Secretary of the Treasury, and that his decision may be daily 
expected, I think it my duty to desire you not to allow, in the 
meantime, the said goods to be transferred from their present place 
of deposit. 

Yery respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

• Brassos Santiago , February 1,1847. 

Sir: I have to request that you will please run, down in your 
ship to the harbor behind the island of Lobos, to give protection, 
advice, and it may be, assistance, to any of the ships of my expe¬ 
dition ordered to await further orders at that general rendez¬ 
vous. 

I may be detained here several days longer, waiting for the trans¬ 
ports to receive the troops in this neighborhood and at Tampico, 
and those ships, I know, are detained at New Orleans, waiting for 
water casks in the hands of coopers. 

I think you have a copy of my general order, No. 6, respecting 
the new volunteer' regiments. A part of one (the South Caro¬ 
lina regiment) has, by some mistake, sailed from Mobile direct for 
Lobos, and the remaining parts will no doubt follow; all without 
calling oft this place. It is now too late to correct the mistake; at 
least, let it remain until my arrival at Lobos. 

I hope to be at Tampico by the 6th instant, at Lobos by the 10th, 
and up with Commodore Connor by the 15th. 

If an opportunity should offer, please communicate this hasty 
note to the commodore. 

I cannot ask you to remain any given number of days about Lo¬ 
bos, but may hope to find you there. 

With great respect, &c., 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Commander Saunders, 

Commanding U. S. ship St. Mary^s. 


Head-quartrers of the Army, 
Brassos Santiago , February 2, 1847. 

Sir: 1 . It is understood by official information received here 
from Washington and New Orleans, that a sufficient number of 
transports may now be expected off this bar, in a very few days,to 
receive General Worth’s division, in the neighborhood, consisting 
say of 3,300 men and 730 horses, (besides officers’ horses,) and 
5,000 men, with officers* horses only, at Tampico. 

2. A portion of those transports, as fast as they arrive, must be 
assigned to General Worth’s division, and the remainder to Tam- 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


73 


pico, to receive there, at least, the number of men and horses stated 
above, and if practicable, 500 cavalry men, and their horses in 
addition. 

3. To enable your department to provide the transportation for 
the men and horses, given in the first paragraph above, by an early 
day, (say,) at this place by the 10th instant at the latest, and at 
Tampico by the 13th or 15th, any deficiency in transports must, as 
far as practicable, be made up by means of vessels here, belonging 
to the department or in- its hire, including steamers, ships, brigs, 
and even schooners. 

4. But it is known that the craft, of every description in this 
harbor and off its bar, are deficient in extra water casks for troops 
—men and horses; and further, that with our deficiency in lighters, 

’(small steamers to communicate with large craft off this bar, and 
that at the mouth of the Rio Grande,) combined with stormy 
weather, it will be as tedious as difficult, to fill the extra casks that 
may be obtained with fresh water, some ten miles up the Rio 
Grande. Nevertheless, you will go on, as orally directed some 
time since, with all preliminary arrangements, to avoid delay, and 
meet the contingency of the non-arrival of sufficient transports from 
the northeast. 

5. We are advised that six of the expected ships will be loaded 
with full water casks; but it is feared that those ships may not 
touch here, but proceed directly to the appointed general rendez¬ 
vous, behind the island of Lobos. That water there, will be a 
great resource, and may be allowed for to some extent, in the em¬ 
barkation to be made here. Hence, if a part of General Worth’s 
division should sail with only w^ater sufficient for thirty, or even 
twenty days, it may suffice. 

To the foregoing limitations I will add the following: 1. General 
Worth’s division must, if practicable, be supplied with good and 
sufficient means of transportation, at the latest, by the 10th instant; 
sooner , I hope. 2. Next, all the remaining transports that you can 
possibly obtain, must be promptly despatched to Tampico, where, 
if provided with casks, water may be much more easily obtained 
than in this neighborhood; that is, transportation for as many'men 
and horses as I give in the first paragraph above, and, if possible, 
for the additions in the following paragraph. Should you not be 
able, from this place, as above, to provide for those additions (with¬ 
out sending to New Orleans) by the 15th instant, I may send back 
to Tampico, from Lobos, the ships freighted with water, (mentioned 
above,) after discharging tflat water into the emptied casks of 
transports in that harbor. I mention this as another resource which 
you may be compelled to take into your calculations. 

I give the foregoing general instructions for your guidance, ex¬ 
pecting to embark in a day or two for Tampico, Lobos, &c., having 
the greatest confidence in your judgment, zeal and energy. 

Yours, very respectfully, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Captain A. R. Hetzel, 

or senior officer of the 

U. S. Quartermaster’s department , Brassos. 



74 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


P. S. I am glad to learn from you that the six ships, freighted 
with water, are expected to touch here. 

I must not omit to say that some fuel, for cooking, will be 
needed in all ships with troops. 

I have already discussed and arranged with you the details of 
the early land transportation train, say, of one hundred wagons 
with mule teams, to accompany, or to follow closely, the troops of 
my expedition. If successful in making the descent on the ene¬ 
my’s coast near Yera Cruz, I may, in a very few weeks, say 
in three, need a much more considerable train of wagons and 
packs; sufficient for an army of (say) ten thousand men. A por¬ 
tion of this large addition I may hope to capture from the enemy, 
or to purchase in his country. 


Brassos San Iago, February 2, 1847. 

Sir: In reply to a communication I had the honor to receive from 
the commanding general this morning, I have to state, that 
the 12 vessels chartered in New Orleans for the transportation of 
troops from this place to Lobos, or elsewhere, the arrival of which 
may be hourly expected, the six fitted up for troops will carry, 
conveniently, four hundred men each, and the others from 175 to 
200 horses, with the officers, and men necessary to take care of 
them on the passage. These vessels, then, will suffice, excluding 
the Massachusetts, for the transportation of the force to be em¬ 
barked here, together with the animals required for the u early land 
transportation train.” 

The steamers that may be considered as almost certainly avail¬ 
able for the movement in contemplation, are the Massachusetts, 
Alabama, Eudora, McKim, Virginia, and Edith. These vessels will 
carry 1,900 men. 

Five vessels have already been chartered capable of carrying 800 
men, besides supplies. For the transportation of the remaining 
2,300, assuming that 5,000 are to be embarked at Tampico, vessels 
will be forthwith chartered. 

For the transportation of the wagons, tools, implements, &c., 
for the quartermaster’s department, vessels have already been taken 
up, and the articles are already on board, or ready to be put on 
board, as soon as the weather will admit of it. 

Of the six vessels freighted with water, four of them may reason¬ 
ably be expected to be here either to-day or to-morrow. These 
vessels may probably be used, to a certain extent, for the trans¬ 
portation of the troops. Still they will not enter into my calcu¬ 
lations, and ample transportation be provided independent thereof. 

With much respect, &c.,&c., 

A. R. HETZEL, 
Captain , A. Quartermaster. 

To H. L. Scott, 

A. A. A. General. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 75 

Correspondence accompanying the proceedings of the court martial 
in the case of Col. W. S. Harney. 

Camp Page, Texas, 
January 28, 1847. 

Sir : I feel deeply indebted to Major General Scott, for his 
magnanimity in allowing me to select the members of my court, 
but there are many reasons why I should decline this privilege. It 
is sufficient that I regard the charge on which I am to be tried as 
involving a general principle, which shall not be decided by a court 
of my friends, or persons from whom I should look for favor, but 
by impartial judges who are to render judgment in a case where 
the rights of all are concerned. Wholly concurring in the views 
entertained by Major General Scott, u in the honor of our officers 
generally and almost universally, ” I leave with him the entire 
selection of the court, requesting to be excluded the first and third 
officers named on the list which you enclosed. In regard to the 
feelings of personal hostility alluded to by Major General Scott, I 
am not aware that any act of mine can indicate such a feeling 
towards General Scott, so clearly as his own attempf^to. remove 
me from my proper command will evince in the estimation of all. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

WILLIAM S. HARNEY, 

Colonel 2 d Dragoons. 

Lieutenant H. L. Scott, A, D . C. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos Santiago , January 30, 1847. 

Sir : Major General Scott has instructed me to say, that the ap¬ 
plication of Col. W. S. Harney, 2d dragoons, for any endorsement 
or letter written by Brigadier General Worth, on forwarding 
Colonel Harney’s letter of the 23d instant, is irregular, and cannot 
be granted. Brigadier General Worth is himself at hand, and can 
be required to give oral testimony in the case if needed. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. L. Scott, A. A. A. G. 

To Captain W. W. Mackall, 

A. D. C., Judge Advocate general court martial. 


Gentlemen of the Court : In answer to General Scott’s re¬ 
fusal to give up the letter or endorsement, written by Brevet 
Brigadier General Worth, in forwarding my remonstrance of the 
23d instant, I beg leave to state that, it is not for General Scott 
to decide what evidence may or may not be proper for this court 
to receive in my defence, that it is a matter for the decision of 







76 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


the court, and it is to be presumed the members are fully compe¬ 
tent to decide the question without any instruction, from the com¬ 
manding general of the army. In my letter yesterday to the judge 
advocate, I stated that I considered this document important to 
my defence ; in my letter of the 23d, I alluded to my recent con¬ 
duct which had come under the notice of General Worth, and I 
desire to know what he may have said on the subject. As the 
whole testimony on the part of the prosecution is documentary, is 
it not right and just to allow me the use of such documents as 
may aid to my acquittal ? Why were General Scott’s letters sent 
before the court, if oral testimony is more regular, when the 
writer is at hand. Indeed, I do not see how General Worth’s 
endorsement can be separated from the main document, and I am 
sure if he had made any statements derogatory to my capacity to 
command, that they would have been produced on the part of the 
prosecution. I am entitled to General Worth’s oral testimony I 
know, but I prefer this document, and I leave it to the court to 
decide whether I am entitled to this letter or not. 

Respectfully submitted, 

WILLIAM S. HARNEY, 

Colonel 2d dragoons. 

Court room , January 31 sty 1847. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassosy San Iago , January 31, 1847. 

Sir : I have just received your note as judge advocate of the 
general court martial, of which Colonel Clarke is president, giving 
me the decision of the court that a certain letter to me, from 
Brevet Brigadier General Worth, transmitting one of the 23d in¬ 
stant, from Colonel Harney to me, is legal evidence, which de¬ 
cision orders you, as judge advocate, to require of me that paper, 
viz : the said letter to me, from Brevet Brigadier General Worth, 
although I had, by a note to you of yesterday, declined, on the 
call of Colonel Harney, to furnish that letter, on the ground ex¬ 
pressly stated, that that general officer was near at hand, and might 
be called to testify to the zeal, &c., of Colonel Harney. 

I am much surprised at the order and the demand of the honor¬ 
able court in this matter, considering that all official correspond¬ 
ence between a general-in-chief and the principal commanders of 
corps under him, is necessarily confidential, (and not public, as the 
court supposes,) until duly published by the proper authority. I 
might well, therefore, on that and other grounds, refuse compliance 
with the most unusual and impolitic order of the court; but having 
no time to combat strange propositions, and wishing Colonel Har¬ 
ney to have, in his own defence the benefit of every thing that 
may conduce to his exculpation from error, I send the paper in 
question. 

There was no endorsement by Brevet Brigadier General Worth, 



# Ex. Doc. No. 56. 77 

on the letter in question, from Colonel Harney, that I recollect. 
The original has been furnished to the jildge advocate. 

I remain, respectfully, yours, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Captain W. W. Mackall, 

A. A. G., and Judge Advocate of , $*c. $*c. 


Head-quarters, 2d Division, 

Rio Grande , January 24, 1847. 

Sir : I have the honor to forward herewith a communication 
just received for transmission, from Colonel Harney. Having 
already trespassed freely upon the general-in-chief on this subject, 
I forbear any remark other than to say, that since joining me, 
Colonel Harney has evinced high zeal, energy, and enthusiasm. 
No one has expressed a livelier anxiety for the success of General 
Scott’s expedition, or deeper solicitude to serve under his orders. 
He has availed himself of several occasions to give utterance to 
honorable impulses and sentiments. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. J. WORTH, 
Brevet Brigadier General . 

To Lieutenant Scott, 

A. D. C., A. A. A. G. 


General Orders, ? Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. 11. ) Brassos Santiago, February 2, 1847. 

1. At a general court martial convened at or near the mouth of 
the Rio Grande, pursuant to general orders No. 5, of the 28th ult., 
and of which Colonel N. S. Clarke, 6th infantry, is president, was 
tried Colonel TV. S. Harney , 2d regiment of dragoons, on the fol¬ 
lowing charge and specifications: 

Charge .—Disobedience of orders and insubordinate conduct. 

Specification first. In this, that Colonel W. S. Harney, 2d regi¬ 
ment of dragoons, having been instructed by Major General Win¬ 
field Scott, commanding the army, in an official communication 
bearing date Brassos Santiago, 22d January, 1847, to relinquish the 
command of that portion of his (the said Colonel Harney’s) regi¬ 
ment which had reached Matamoras, and then to repair to the head¬ 
quarters of, and personally to report to, Major General Taylor, did 
fail to set out as instructed as aforesaid. 

Specification second. In this, that the said Colonel W. S. Har¬ 
ney, 2d regiment of dragoons, did, after having relinquished the 
command of the troops aforesaid, as instructed as aforesaid, resume 
the command of the same, and that , after receiving the reiterated 
orders of Major General Scott, dated Brassos Santiago, January 24, 
1847, and in defiance of such repeated orders. This near Matamo¬ 
ras, Mexico, on or about the 25th of January, 1847. 








78 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. • 


To which the accused pleaded as follows: 

To the first specification, u Guilty. 55 

To the second specefication, u Guilty. 55 

To the charge, u Guilty, except the words 1 and insubordinate 
conduct .’ 55 

The court, after deliberation on the testimony adduced, find the 
accused, Colonel W. S. Harney, 2d dragoons, as follows: 

Of the first specification, confirm his plea, guilty. 

Of the second specification, confirm his plea, guilty. 

Of the charge, confirm # his plea, guilty of disobedience of orders, 
not guilty of insubordinate conduct. 

Sentence .—And the court do, therefore, sentence the said Colo¬ 
nel W. S. Harney, 2d regiment of dragoons, u to be reprimanded in 
general orders.” 

u The court, in awarding this mild sentence, is moved by the be¬ 
lief that the accused has acted under the impression that he could 
not legally be ordered, against his consent, to separate himself 
from the principal portion of his regiment; and while he has, in 
the belief of the court, been influenced by a laudable desire to lead 
his regiment into battle, he has overlooked the paramount impor¬ 
tance, especially with an army in the field, of an immediate and an 
unhesitating obedience to orders. 55 

2. The general-in-chief approves the sentence in this case,which 
he remits. 

3. The general court martial, of which Colonel Clarke is presi¬ 
dent, is dissolved. 

4. Colonel Harney, therefore, is released from arrest, and will 
proceed to execute the instructions which he received from the 
general-in-chief on the £4th ultimo. 

By command of Major General Scott. 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. G. 


Camp Page, Texas, 

February 3, 1847. 

Sir: Having sought the decision of my peers, in an amicable, 
not insubordinate spirit, on a question which I conceived, it seems 
erroneously, very seriously involved my rights, and a decision hav¬ 
ing been pronounced against me, I cheerfully, as bound in duty and 
honor, submit myself to my fate, seriously and deeply lamenting 
that untoward circumstances should debar me from participating in 
a service which manifestly, so strongly appeals to the soldiership 
and patriotism of every officer. As the order is reiterated to pro¬ 
ceed to the head-quarters of General Taylor, I beg to be informed 
If it is necessary I should move in advance of Captain Hunter’s 
company. 

I am, very respectfully, 

WM. S. HARNEY, 
Colonel 2d Dragoons . 

Captain W. W. Mackall, A. A. General . 

Endorsed as follows: 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 79 

Respectfully submitted for consideration of the general-in- 
chief. 

W. J. WORTH, 

Co/., Brevet Brigadier General. 


Lieut. H. L. Scott , A. A. A. General , to Colonel W. S. Harney . 

Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos Santiago , February 3, 1847. 

Sir: Major General Scott has instructed me to say, that your 
communication of the present date, addressed to the assistant ad¬ 
jutant general at Brigadier General Worth’s head-quarters, has 
been referred to him, and that you will please report to Brevet 
Brigadier General Worth for duty. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 


Lieutenant H. L. Scotty A. A. A. General , to Brigadier General 

W. J. Worth . 

Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos Santiago , February 3, 1847. 

Sir: I enclose, herewith, a letter for Colonel Wm. S. Harney, 
2d dragoons, and I am instructed by the general-in-chief to say, 
that you will, upon assigning Colonel Harney to the command of 
the dragoons, disassociate the cavalry and rifles, and say, u Major 
Sumner will contTnue in the command of the rifles until the regi¬ 
ment shall be united under its colonel.” 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 


No. 10. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos San lago , February 5, 1847. 

Sir: The schooner for New Orleans, with my letter to you of 
yesterday, having failed to get off, gives me the opportunity of en¬ 
closing herewith a copy of a letter received from Major General 
Taylor. 

It will be seen in that letter, that the rumor respecting the loss 
of Lieutenant Richey, with the important despatches I mentioned 
yesterday, is confirmed. 







80 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


I am happy to add that the silence of Major General Taylor, in 
respect to the rumored capture of the mounted volunteers, in the 
neighborhood of Encarnacion, leaves room to hope that they are 
in safety. 

One transport, from New Orleans, arrived last evening, with a 
report that several others, to receive troops, might soon be ex¬ 
pected. 

The very limited number of regular medical officers will not, I 
think, give more than one for every two transports. 

I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect, your most obe¬ 
dient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. Secretary of War. 


Head-quarters Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , January 26, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully report my arrival at this place* on the 
24th instant. After I had left my camp, near Victoria, I received 
Major General Scott’s letter, of December 20, and was advised, at 
the same time, of the murder of Lieutenant Richey, 5th infantry, 
and the loss of despatches conveyed by that officer. 

It seems that on reaching the town of Villa Gran, on the 13th 
instant, Lieutenant Richey separated himself from his escort, for 
the purpose of purchasing provisions and forage; that he was as¬ 
saulted by a gang of desperadoes, lassoed and brutally put to death. 
He had been despatched to my head-quarters, by Major General 
Butler, with some communications, the most important being Gen¬ 
eral Scott’s original instructions to me, of January 3d. Those in¬ 
structions, with other despatches found on Lieutenant Richey’s 
person, were doubtless forwarded to San Luis. Jfvery effort was 
made, by the offer of rewards, &c., to recover thj despatches and 
apprehend the murderers, but, it is feared, without success. I have, 
however, in custody a Mexican, who is unquestionably criminated 
in the affair. 

On reaching this place, I found that Major General Butler had 
punctually carried out the instructions of the general-ln-chief. 
The recruits for the 3d infantry, however, were retained here, and 
I only wait advices from General Scott’s head-quarters to put them 
in march for the mouth of the river. 

We hear from the interior that General Santa Anna has certainly 
been elected president, and Gomes Farias, vice president of the 
republic. The former, at the last advices from San Luis, had gone 
thence to the capital. The army is represented to be suffering for 
want of supplies, and the Congress seems unwilling or unable to 
vote the necessary appropriations. 

From the direction of Durango, we learn that an action took 
place at the Paso del Norte, between a detachment of troops from 
Santa Fe and a Mexican force, which had marched from Chihua¬ 
hua, resulting in the defeat and dispersion of the latter with con- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 81 

siderable loss. It is presumed that our troops are now in posses¬ 
sion of Chihuahua. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major Gen. U. S. A. Com. 

Lieut. H. L. Scott, 

Aid-de-Camp , fyc. 


J No. 11. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos San Iago , February 12, 1847. 

Sir: In my last despatch (February 5th) I reported that one 
transport, to receive troops, had arrived. She took on board, the 
day following, the greater part of the 8th infantry and sailed for 
Lobos. Of the other ships for the same purpose, taken up at New 
Orleans, by Brevet Major General Jesup, and which were to have 
sailed, by the first appointment, about the 24th ultimo, not one has 
reported here, and so of the ten ordered by you (in your memoran¬ 
dum to the quartermaster general of December 15th) to be sent, 
in ballast, from the north. We are now nearly a month behind the 
time appointed by me (in November) for the assemblage of the 
whole expedition off this bar; the troops here and at Tampico are 
eager for the descent. Mexico is assembling a powerful army (in 
numbers) to meet us at Yera Cruz or in the vicinity, and our trans¬ 
ports, ordnance, ordnance stores, &c., are yet nearly all behind. 

We are now, perhaps, nearly at the end of a long continued 
norther, and cannot yet tell what new vessels have arrived off the 
bar. 

We have no later official intelligence from Major General Tay¬ 
lor than that communicated in my letter to the department on the 
5th instant; but an officer who left Monterey on the 28th ultimo, 
confirms the rumored capture of Major Borland and some fifty of the 
Arkansas mounted regiment. It seems that Major Gaines and the 
Kentuckians, included in the rumor, were not present. 

We have certain intelligence, though notofficial, that a transport, 
with three or four companies of the Louisiana volunteers, was 
stranded some thirty miles south of Tampico, about the 6th instant, 
and rumor adds, that the detachment was captured the same day. 
This I do not credit. That transport did not call off this bar. 

In my present cruel uncertainties in respect to the approach of 
transports, ordnance, ordnance stores, &c., &c., I cannot name a 
day for my personal departure to the south. The Alabama steamer 
may arrive to-morrow and relieve me. 

I have not received a line from you of a date later than the 4th 
ultimo. The papers, under a blank envelope, respecting the appre¬ 
hended smuggling of Colt’s arms into Mexico, have been duly at¬ 
tended to. 

I put under cover, herewith, copy of a letter from Commodore 
6 




82 


Ex. Doc. No. j56. 

Connor, dated January 18th; a memorandum from Captain Hetzel, 
senior assistant quartermaster here, dated February 9th, and a copy 
of my letter to Major General Patterson, dated February 9th. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


United States Ship Raritan, 

Anton Lizardo , January 18, 1847. 

Sir: Your esteemed favor of the 26th ultimo, accompanied by a 
duplicate of your communication, of December 23d, dated at New 
Orleans, was handed to me yesterday afternoon, by Lieutenant 
Rains. My reply to the latter was despatched, some days since, to 
Brassos Santiago, in a prize schooner, under charge of Lieutenant 
Commanding Smith. By this time it has probably reached its ad¬ 
dress. 

The present would be the most favorable time for the contem¬ 
plated attack upon Vera Cruz. There is every reason to believe 
the information contained in my former communication, as to the 
force now in the castle and town, correct. Provisions for the gar¬ 
rison are obtained with the greatest difficulty, and in quantities suf¬ 
ficient only to last from day to day. The supplies at present in 
the castle may be, perhaps, enough for a week, or ten days, at the 
utmost, all accounts agreeing that there are no salt provisions in 
either. So far as I am able to judge, I am of opinion, that if four 
or five thousand troops could be landed in the neighborhood of 
Yera Cruz, by the end of this month or the beginning of the next, 
so as completely to invest the place, and cut off all communication 
with the country, its surrender, in less than ten days, with that of 
the castle, would be certain, and probably without the necessity of 
firing a gun. 

The best point for landing can readily be ascertained on your ar¬ 
rival, after an examination of the coast. Indeed, in my opinion, 
there are but two points at all eligible for this purpose—one on the 
beach, due west from Sacrificios, the other on the shores of this 
anchorage. 

I have already given you such information as I possessed in re¬ 
lation to the anchorage at Lobos. It is perfectly safe and easy of 
access — u Blunt’s Coast Pilot” contains full and exact directions 
for the entrance. Pilots can be procured, should they be deemed 
necessary, at Tampico. 

I would advise, by all means, that the transports which pass Lo¬ 
bos be directed to rendezvous at Anton Lizardo, instead of Sacri¬ 
ficios. The anchorage at the latter place, not already occupied by 
foreign men of war, is unsafe at this season of the year; that of 
Anton Lizardo, as I have before stated, the safest and best on the 
coast, and sufficiently extensive for two or three hundred sail. No 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


83 


apprehensions are, as yet, entertained at Vera Cruz of the design 
contemplated against the place. But it is to be feared that, before 
long, the movements of the army and other indications may excite 
suspicion. It would indeed be greatly to be regretted should so 
favorable an opportunity of making a successful attack on the 
town, as the present, pass without your being able to avail your¬ 
self of it. 

Accounts received here state that General Wool had joined Gen¬ 
eral Worth, at Monterey, about the 1st of January. The forces of 
Santa Anna had commenced their advance some days previously 
from San Luis to Saltillo. The return of General Taylor to Mon¬ 
terey, which, from all accounts, seems likely, will probably have the 
effect of retarding your movements some weeks. 

I have the-honor to be your obedient servant, . 

D. CONNOR, 
Comdg. Home Squadron. 

Major General Scott. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos Santiago , February 9, 1847. 

Sir: I despatch the sea-going steamer, the Eudora, with impor¬ 
tant despatches to the senior quartermaster at Tampico, which you 
will please call for and read. 

All the transports, for the reception of the 8,000 men, regulars 
and old volunteers, here and at Tampico, were expected to leave 
New Orleans the 24th ultimo, and to touch at this place, by the 1st 
instant. But one has yet arrived! They were detained, first, for 
the want of extra water casks, and, I now learn, by the mail from 
New Orleans, for the want of seamen. Some of those ships, how¬ 
ever, are soon expected here, and the quartermaster with me is ta¬ 
king up some, at hand, to supply deficiencies, as the season for mi¬ 
litary operations on the coast, south of you, is already short. A 
due proportion of all the means of water transportation, we can 
possibly command, will be sent to receive the 5,000 artillery and 
infantry, at Tampico, intended for my expedition; and I am very 
desirous, also, of taking with me the Tennessee cavalry and a 
greater number of the foot from the same place. The enemy having 
captured, about the 11th ultimo, my full despatches to Major Gen¬ 
eral Taylor, with copies of those to Major General Butler, some¬ 
where between Monterey and Victoria, my plans, views and means 
are now as well known at San Luis de Potosi, Mexico and Vera 
Cruz, as at these head-quarters. Hence my exceeding anxiety to 
take with me the largest possible number of troops, and my extreme 
impatience at the non-arrival of sufficient transports. Some, it is 
hoped, may be engaged at Tampico, and the instructions to the 
quartermaster there are on that subject. 

The new regiments of volunteers, to accompany me, are the 1st 
and 2d Pennsylvania, the New York, the South Carolina and the 
Louisiana. The whole, or a part, of those regiments has passed 




84 


Ex. Doc. No. 56, 


south, except the 2d Pennsylvania. The South Carolina, it is sup¬ 
posed, sailed, by some mistake committed at New Orleans, direct 
from Mobile to Lobos. 

As transports may arrive at Tampico, I wish you to embark the 
troops under your command, as follows: 1. Twiggs’s brigade; 2. 
Pillow’s brigade, and 3. Quitman’s. As I have heretofore said, I 
shall give a brigade to Brigadier General Shields, unless the Pres¬ 
ident shall have appointed some new brigadiers, with special in¬ 
structions to place them in command of the new volunteers of my 
expedition. The Tennessee cavalry, as I have also said, I shall en¬ 
deavor to provide transportation for, independent of any brigade, 
if it be now brigaded. My meaning is, that you will embark that 
regiment last, after all the troops, on foot, shall be afloat. 

I shall throw all the regular troops, except the 500 cavalry, into 
two brigades, under Worth and Twiggs, respectively; and, besides 
your division, I may organize an independent brigade of volunteers. 
But I shall hold the organization of corps, larger than regiments, 
under advisement, until I shall have consulted you. The brigades 
of Worth and Twiggs will be equalized as near as may be. 

I cannot leave this place for Tampico, &c., until some of the 
cruel uncertainties, in respect to the approach of transports, ord¬ 
nance and ordnance stores, shall be removed. Sixty odd surf boats, 
out of one hundred and forty, are already up. I will make the de¬ 
scent near Vera Cruz, if not another should arrive. 

When the Massachusetts (steamer) shall appear off the bar 
of Tampico, please send a lighter to take me ashore. 

I remain, sir, with great respect, &c., &c., 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

P. S. Any volunteers, over and above a reasonable garrison for 
Tampico, which may be obliged to leave in the first instance, it is 
my intention to send for as soon as practicable. 

W. S. 

2d P. S. I wish you to detain the Eudora for troops, and, per¬ 
haps, part of her cabin may do for your head-quarters. The Mas¬ 
sachusetts, in which I shall embark, will be filled with general staff 
officers and officers of the line. I expect Majors McRee and 
Kirby to join me. 

W. S. 

Major General Patterson. 


Memoranda for the Commanding General. 

The six vessels fitted up at New Orleans, for the transportation 
of horses, will carry the dragoons and artillerists, with their horses, 
and those of the general staff and of the field officers of infantry 
and riflemen. 

The six chartered and fitted up for troops will, with the Edith 
and Massachusetts, carry the balance of the troops of Genera^ 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 85 

Worth’s division; the Talbot, one of the six, having already sailed 
with upwards of 400. 

The enclosed statement exhibits the number of vessels, now un¬ 
der the control of the department, available for the troops to be 
embarked at Tampico, with the number of men they can carry con¬ 
veniently, and the number they might carry on an emergency. 
From this it will be perceived that there may be a deficiency of 
transportation, say for 1800 men. To remedy this, in some mea¬ 
sure,-the Pharsalia and Medford, capable of carrying conveniently 
from 8 to 900 men, might be forced into the service. 

The quartermaster general, in his letter to me, under date of the 
1st instant, states that seven vessels, freighted with water, had 
sailed from New Orleans. Four of these may, certainly, be ex¬ 
pected to touch here. He also makes mention of the Yazoo, a ves¬ 
sel which, not having been chartered when I left New Orleans, I 
can say nothing of her capacity. From these five vessels, however, 
something mqy reasonably be expected, and, at the lowest average, 
(they) may be assumed as capable of carrying 200 men each. Here, 
then, is transportation for the 5,000 men to be embarked at 
Tampico. 

The master of the Louisa reports three brigs and several schoon¬ 
ers in the harbor of Tampico, when he left, about a week since. 
To write, therefore, to Major McRee, and require him to secure 
transportation for 500 men certainly, and as many horses as possi¬ 
ble—relying upon the former as certain—the Eudora, carrying 150 
men and 30 horses, the w T hole or a portion of the mounted Ten¬ 
nessee volunteers (500) might be provided for. 

It is possible that one of the six vessels mentioned in the first 
paragraph of this memorandum will also be available for the troops 
at Tampico. They are represented as capable of carrying from 120 
to 250 horses—an average of which would be 185—affording means 
of transportation for 1,110 horses, whereas all the horses that are 
to be embarked here do not exceed 850. 

But if, as I infer to be the case, from a paragraph in a letter from 
the adjutant general to the commanding general, shown to me this 
morning by Lieutenant Williams, the ten transports expected from 
the north have sailed, the means of transportation for 8,000 men 
will be abundant, independent of the Pharsalia and Medford, and 
independent of two or three steamers, which may be used to great 
advantage for other purposes. 

Respectfully submitted. 

A. R. HETZEL, 

Captain and A . Q. M. 


Brassos San Iago, February 9, 1847. 



Vessels available for the transportation of the troops at Tampico . 


Steam-ship Alabama, 400 men, 


Do Virginia, 

400 

u 

Do McKim,* 

300 

tt 

Ship Henry Pratt, 

300) 


Do Mary Flower, 

300 \ 

u 

Do Prentice, 

300 j 


Do Diadem, 

350 

tt 

Do Corsair, 

206 

tt 

Do Saldanha, 

Do Brown, 

175 

tt 

150 

tt 

Do Pensacola, 

175 

tt 

Do Importer, 

150 

tt 

3 

,206 



Brassos San Iago, February 


)bably . . 

it 


. 500 

tt 


. 350 

tt 


.1,050 

•tt 


. 400 

tt 

- 

.; 206 

tt 


. 200 

tt 


. 175 

tt 


. 200 

c t 


. 175 

3,756 


A. R. HETZEL, 
Captain and A. Q. M. 

, 1847. 


No. 12. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Ship Massachusetts , off Lobos , February 28, 1847. 

Sir: I left the Brassos the 15th, and Tampico the 20th instant, 
having done much official business at the latter place in a delay of 
some thirty hours. 

But a small part of the transport engaged at New Orleans, under 
my orders of December 28, 1846, to receive troops at the Brassos 
and Tampico, had reported at the two places, and not one of the 
ten ordered by your memorandum of the 15th of that month, and 
the whole were due at the Brassos on the 15th of January. 

Leaving orders at both places to supply deficiencies, by taking 
up any craft—ships, brigs, and schooners—that might chance to be 
in the way, I hastened to this first general rendezvous, where, as I 
had heard, the small pox had broken out among the volunteers. I 
was also anxious to learn what had become of the 2d Mississippi 
volunteers, which regiment I knew had sailed from New Orleans 
(without its arms) for the Brassos in January, its place of debarka¬ 
tion, under my general orders, No. 6, of the 30th of that month. 
By the strangest misapprehension or fatality, consequent on obey¬ 
ing a prior instead of a later order received, I found one of the 
transports of this regiment off Tampico, and the other two here, 
neither having called off the Brassos, where the three ships had 
been long, in our difficulties, relied upon to receive other troops. 


* Now known to be in dock at New Orleans, and not expected here in time. 
February 12, 1847. 


W. S. 



















Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


87 


The several detachments of the Mississippians were, as I succes¬ 
sively came up with them, ordered back to the Brassos; hut, con¬ 
sidering the accidents and delays on this terrible coast, the ships 
cannot be up with me again with troops in time for the descent. 
Indeed the season has already so far advanced, in reference to the 
usual return of the yellow fever on this coast, that I can now only 
wait a day or two longer for Brevet Brigadier General Worth, de¬ 
layed as above, and for part of the regulars, yet behind with the 
great body of old volunteers, from Tampico. All the troops from 
the Brassos are up, except the field batteries and the cavalry; and 
I am very anxious to have, in the descent, the whole of Pillow’s, 
Quitman’s, and Shields’s volunteer brigades, now reduced to an 
average of about 430 men per regiment, but become quite efficient 
from tactical instruction and habits of subordination. But, I repeat, 
I cannot wait more than forty-eight hours for any body, except 
Brevet Brigadier General Worth, and Duncan’s and Taylor’s horse 
artillery companies, or for anything behind; and two-thirds of the 
ordnance and ordnance stores, and half the surf boats, are yet un¬ 
heard of, although Adjutant General Jones reported to me, on the 
23d ultimo, that all those objects had been then shipped, and were 
under way for the Brassos; and so he wrote, as I understand him, 
that I might soon expect the ten transports, in ballast, from Atlan¬ 
tic ports, ordered by you, as arranged with me. 

Perhaps no expedition was ever so unaccountably delayed—by 
no want of foresight, arrangement, or energy on my part, as I dare 
affirm—under circumstances the most critical to this entire army; 
for every body, relied upon, knew from the first, as well as I knew, 
that it would be fatal to us to attempt military operations on the 
coast after, probably, the first week in April, and here we are at 
the end of February. 

Nevertheless, this army is in hearty and, crippled as I am in the 
means required and promised, I shall go forward and expect to take 
Vera Cruz and its castle in time to escape, by pursuing the enemy, 
the pestilence of the coast. 

As I said in my last report, (of the 12th instant,) I have not 
received a line from you, or one written by your direction, of a 
date later than the 4th ultimo. 

I found here, the 21st instant, the 1st and 2d Pennsylvania regi¬ 
ments; the South Carolina regiment; two-thirds of the Louisiana 
regiment, (since ordered to join the other third, at Tampico, as 
part of the garrison of that place,) besides the detachments of the 
Mississippi regiment, before mentioned, and a third of the New 
York regiment. The latter is now complete, and an eleventh com¬ 
pany is also up with the South Carolinians. 

The first detachment of the Louisianians, under the colonel, 
(De Russey,) was stranded, as I heretofore reported, nearly oppo¬ 
site to this island, but succeeded in reaching Tampico. That regi¬ 
ment, the Maryland and Washington battalion, and one company 
of regular artillery—the whole to be under the command of Colonel 
Gates, of the army—were designated as the garrison of that city. 
Its field works are by this time finished. 



88 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


It was the 2d Pennsylvania regiment that brought with it a case 
of confluent small pox, and one of varioloid. By landing the 
troops and leaving the patients on board, by ventilation and fumi¬ 
gation, the spread of the infection has been prevented, and the two 
patients are again well. To-morrow, under the advice of a medical 
board, I shall deem it safe to re-embark the detachments. 

We find this harbor, against northers , even better than I had an¬ 
ticipated. One has now been blowing some forty hours, and has 
brought down all the vessels, ready to sail, that were outside of 
the bars at the Brassos and Tampico. The next will take the fleet 
to Anton Lizardo, whither I am sending off ships with surf boats, 
in order that the latter may be launched, under the care of the 
navy, and held ready for my arrival. 

Captain Saunders, of the United States sloop-of-war St. Mary’s, 
has rendered me most valuable services in general, besides landing 
and re-embarking volunteers. The island has afforded them the 
means of healthy military exercises and tolerable drinking water. 
The few surf-boats launched are admirably adapted to the purposes 
for which they were intended. 

Herewith I send copies of letters to Brevet Brigadier General 
Worth and to Major General Patterson, together with the report of 
the chief engineer on the defences of Tampico. Copies of many 
orders go [to] the adjutant general. 

I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


P. S.—This letter is despatched by the schooner (pilot boat) 
Pioneer to New Orleans. 


W. S. 


Memoranda for General Worth. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 
Brassos Santiago , February 14, 1847. 

I leave you to finish the embarkation of your troops for Lobos 
and Anton Lizardo. 

The quartermaster’s department here seems confident that it will 
have vessels for all your troops in a few days, and also for 5,000 
men at Tampico. 1 hope the means may be provided to take off 
1,500 more from that place, with 500 horses of the Tennessee 
mounted regiment. 

Ships being off this bar, fitted up for the reception of horses, I 
think you may commence at once to embark your cavalry and horse 
artillery. 

Every transport must be provided with rations, forage, and water 
for thirty days at least; but sooner than stop the embarkation, 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 89 

twenty days’ water may suffice for men and horses, the last to em- 
bark. 

Of the three steamers, the Edith, the Virginia, and the Alabama, 
two are destined as transports from Tampico, and must be despatched 
to that place with short intervals between them. By each of the 
two, as w T ell as by the third, with your own head-quarters on board, 
I desire to receive information from you and the senior quarter¬ 
master at this place, of every thing interesting to the expedition I 
am to conduct, viz: in respect to the new transports that may ar¬ 
rive here, the ordnance, ordnance stores, surf boats, &c., of the ex¬ 
pedition, as well as intelligence of the arrival or approach of new 
regiments of volunteers.— See my general orders , JVo. 6, of the 30 th 
ultimo. 

By the same steamers, as well as by all other vessels, sailing 
hence to join my expedition, I desire that letters, &c., for myself 
and the general staff may be duly forwarded. 

I prescribe no particular day for your departure hence, in order 
to follow me, but suppose you will remain here until your troops 
have all embarked or are ready for embarkation, when I know you 
will be eager to join me at Tampico, and, if I am not there, at the 
general rendezvous behind the island of Lobos. 

Assistant quartermaster Captain Hetzel is instructed to follow 
me, as soon as he shall have seen the troops in this neighborhood 
embarked, with the land train, &c., of the expedition. He will 
probably take with him assistant quartermaster Captain Wayne. 

I wish you to be prepared, on joining me, to give the name of 
each vessel having detachments of your command on board, to¬ 
gether with the number of the detachment. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


Major General Scott to Commodore D. Conner. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Tampico , February 19, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your two 
letters, dated, respectively, the 11th and 18th ultimo. 

I arrived off this place yesterday, and am afraid that I may be 
delayed some days longer, waiting for the arrival of a sufficient 
number of transports to receive the troops in the neighborhood. 
Many ships, with the materiel of the expedition, are also behind, 
though believed to be near at hand; I hope, however, to be up 
with you, off Anton Lizardo, before the end of the month. I shall 
be in the United States’ steamer Massachusetts, with a pendant at 
the mainmast head, of a blue ground and a square red field in the 
centre. 

I doubt not that you will have continued successful in obtain¬ 
ing information of the enemy’s numbers, movements, and designs, 





90 


Ex. Doe. No. 56. 


about the coast opposite to your anchorage, and for some distance 
in the interior, up to my arrival. 

With great respect, &c., &c., &c. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Tampico , February 19, 1847. 

Sir: I am desirous that, after designating a competent garrison 
for the defence of this place, the strength and composition of which 
will be given below, the whole of the remaining forces under your 
command should be promptly embarked and despatched to the har¬ 
bor behind the island of Lobos, some sixty miles south of this 
place, there to await further orders. 

The embarkation will be made in the order of the rank of the 
four brigadier generals under your command, commencing with 
Briga ier General Twiggs’s brigade, and other regulars. 

If possible, I desire that transportation may be found by the 
quartermaster’s department, for both the men and horses of the 
Tennessee cavalry. Let that regiment be the last to embark; and, 
if sufficient transportation should not arrive, embark the men and 
leave the horses (to follow as soon as practicable) in the charge of 
(say) men per company. 

When the embarkation shall have advanced as far as Brigadier 
General Quitman’s brigade, you will charge him, and in succession, 
Brigadier General Shields, with the completion, and personally fol¬ 
low me to Lobos. Should I have left that rendezvous before your 
arrival, you will please direct all vessels of the expedition you 
may find there to join me off Anton Lizardo, and follow yourself 
to that anchorage; but I shall exceedingly regret to leave Lobos 
before you are up with me. You and your troops, however, cannot 
fail to join me before any descent can be made in that vicinity, and 
I cannot dispense with such important aid. 

The garrison to be left for holding and defending this position 
may be—one company of artillery, the Maryland and District of 
Columbia battalion of volunteers, and the Louisiana regiment of 
volunteers; the whole under the command of Colonel Gates of the 
United States 3d artillery. You will please give him such instruc¬ 
tions as the importance of the place evidently requires. His com¬ 
mand will commence from the time that he shall find himself the 
senior officer of that place. His special reports, of course, will be 
made to general head-quarters, with monthly returns of the garri¬ 
son. All ordinary returns will be made by him direct to Wash¬ 
ington. 

Besides the troops, mentioned above, for the garrison of this 
place, there will no doubt be a number of men in hospital^-invalids 
and convalescents left by other regiments—found available in any 
emergency. 

Please give instructions for saving on board the transports as 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


91 


many subsistence casks as practicable, to be used as gabions to 
cover lines in sieges. 

I remain, sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


Brigadier General Patterson, 

Commanding , #c., #c., #c., Tampico. 


Colonel J. G. Totten , chief of the corps of engineers , to Lieutenant 
H. L. Scott , acting adjutant general. 

Tampico, February 19, 1847. 

Sir: I have to report for the information of the general, 
that I have this day examined with care the works lately thrown 
up for the defence of the two avenues into this town. These 
works are nearly complete, and it gives me great satisfaction 
to state my opinion that they have been planned with judgment 
and executed with skill; nothing less, however, was to have been 
expected from the officers who have been engaged thereon, namely: 
Captain Barnard and Lieutenant Beauregard, of the engineers, as¬ 
sisted, for the greater part of the time, by Lieutenants Coppe, of 
the artillery, and Woods of the infantry. Lieutenants McGiiton, 
G. P. Andrews, and Sears, are reported to have rendered valuable 
aid, though for shorter periods. 

Although these defensive lines were designed to meet the case 
of a^weak garrison, and much talent has been displayed in profit¬ 
ing of local circumstances to that end, still, the space to be cov¬ 
ered is large, and even a minimum garrison must consist of a con¬ 
siderable body of rjaen. I do not now take into account the value 
of the object covered. If its importance be such as to justify the 
leaving of a garrison at all, that garrison must be able to maintain 
itself for some time, entirely independent of succor from without; 
any less garrison we might expect to lose. 

Knowing how important it may be to other issues of the ap¬ 
proaching campaign to take hence all the force that can be spared, 
I have looked at the subject with a sincere desire to reduce to the 
utmost my estimate of the numbers indispensable to an efficient de¬ 
fence; but I have not been able to reduce it below the following 
figures. 

Along the altaniera front of the town, there are eight distinct 
works requiring garrisons, varying, according to magnitude or 
position, from 20 men to 120 men, each, at least —provision being 


made for mounting thereon 26 pieces of artillery. 

The aggregate of these posts will be. 500 men. 

Reserve of 4 companies ..... 320 u 


Giving. 860 u 

On the canal front, at the other extremity of the town, 

there will be needed in these posts...* 200 u 


Total. 1,060 “ 

making a total, of, say, 1,000 men. 













92 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


There should be a reserve on the canal front, also, of not less 
than 200 men, making the whole force of that front 400 men, and 
the total force 1,200 men; but, in my desire to reduce the estimate, 
I have omitted this reserve, on the supposition that a body of at 
least 200 volunteer may be raised at a moment of need among the 
residents of Tampico. 

Twenty-four pieces of artillery are actually mounted in the sev¬ 
eral works, which ordnance should be left in the hands of the regu¬ 
lar artillery only. 

I have, therefore, in conclusion, to recommend to the general- 
in-chief that there be left, for the defence of Tampico, a force of 
not less than 1,000 effective men, with 24 pieces of artillery; of 
which force, one full company, at least, should be of regular artil¬ 
lery. 

1 purpose leaving orders with Lieutenant Beauregard to com¬ 
plete the defences at once, so that he may be in time to afford his 
aid in the contemplated operations at Vera Cruz. 

I, have the honor to be, &c., &c., &c., 

JOSEPH G. TOTTEN, 

Colonel and Chief Engineer. 


No. 12. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Off Lobos, March 1, 1847. 

Sir: The pilot-boat Pioneer, being delayed by the wind, yester¬ 
day, enables me to say, that after closing my report of that date, I 
had occasion, most unexpectedly, to issue the accompanying 
general orders, No. 37, touching the re-appearance of small pox. 
It shall be followed up with the most rigorous measures to prevent 
the infection of the transports or detachments. 

Writing, before sunrise, a steamer and two other vessels are re¬ 
ported in sight. The first has, no doubt, Brigadier General Worth 
on board, and if the field batteries are in the other two, the signal 
shall be instantly made for the fleet to sail for Anton Lizardo. 

I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect, your most obedient 
servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


General Orders, ) Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. 37. \ Off Lob OS) February 28, 1848. 

1. Several new cases of undoubted small pox having been just 
reported on board the transport General Yesay, of this fleet, the 
three companies of the 2d Pennsylvania volunteers in this ship, ex¬ 
cepting the sick, with the field company officers attached thereto, 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


93 


•will be landed on the island of Lobos, with their arms, ammunition 
and tents, the moment that the troops, now ashore, shall have re¬ 
embarked. 

2. If new cases occur ashore, they will be immediately sent on 
board. 

3. The detachment will, from tim.e to time, land the necessaries 
it may need from the ship, and remain on the island, until it and 
the ship shall be entirely freed from the small pox in all its forms, 
when, and not before, it will follow the army in the same ship to 
Anton Lizardo or Yera Cruz. 

4. The commanding officers, and also the medical officer of the 
detachment, will be held responsible that the detachment does not 
bring to the army the seeds of that prostrating disease, and will, 
whilst on the island, as will also the ship, keep a yellow flag flying, 
to prevent all persons connected with the army from coming on 
board or ashore. If such persons present themselves, they will be 
warned off. 

By command of Major General Scott. 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A . A. General . 


War Department, 
Washington , March 13, 1847. 

Sir: Very little doubt is entertained here, that by the joint opera¬ 
tion of our land and naval forces, the city of Yera Cruz will be 
taken before this communication will have reached you, and it is 
hoped that the reduction of the castle of San Juan d’Ulloa will 
speedily follow. In the ev ( ent of the capture of the castle, a question 
may arise as to the disposition to be made of it. Shall it be garri¬ 
soned and held during the sickly season, or be dismantled and de¬ 
molished! It is certainly desirable, on many accounts, that it should 
be occupied by our forces. A rmall garrison would probably be 
sufficient to hold it; and the requisite number of acclimated men, who 
would not be likely to suffer from the vomito , might be drawn from 
the army or the squadron for that purpose. The castle is repre¬ 
sented to be much less unhealthy than the city of Yera Cruz, and 
that the men assigned to the duty of garrisoning it, by frequent 
changes, and goin? to sea occasionally on board of the ships of the 
squadron, may avoid the ravages of the disease which is so fatal in 
the summer months to strangers on shore. It is, therefore, only in 
the event that the castle cannot be held without exposing the gar¬ 
rison to the fatal effects of the vomito , that it is to be abandoned, 
and not then, until it is dismantled and its armament removed. 
The importance of holding possession of it must, however, yield to 
the consideration of still higher obligation—a regard to the lives of 
the men who must necessarily be assigned to that duty. Whatever 
arrangements are found necessary on this subject will be made on 
consultation and with the concurrence of the commander of the 
squadron. 




94 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


But it may be that the castle will be found in a condition to hold 
out, for a considerable time, after the occupation of the city of Vera 
Cruz by our forces, and that, in order to reduce it, there may be-a 
necessity of continuing the siege until after the period when the 
vomito commences its ravages. Whether you shall delay to ad¬ 
vance into the interior until tire castle is reduced, is left to your 
own determination. It is the express direction of the President 
that the army under your command should not be kept in a situation 
where it w T ill suffer by the wasting disease of that climate, either 
for the purpose of co-operating with the navy in reducing the 
castle, or to carry on any other military operations in that quarter. 
During the prevalence of the vomito the troops must be placed in 
healthy positions; and to effect this object, you must, if unavoid¬ 
able, forego movements which promise successful results. 

In the approaching season the diseases which prevail along the 
gulf coast, and particularly at, and in the vicinity of, Vera Cruz, 
are the most formidable enemy our troops will have to encounter; 
and your best consideration will doubtless be given to securing 
your command from its attacks. 

Where you will find healthy positions, and among them, which 
are to be preferred with reference to military operations, can be best 
determined by yourself, and the choice is left to your judgment 
and better knowledge of localities. Among those here who are 
acquainted with the country there is quite a diversity of opinion as 
to the extent of the region infected by the vomito. Some are confi¬ 
dent that by removing our troops but a few miles from the city of 
Yera Cruz, they can be placed in situations comparatively healthy; 
while others believe that to avoid the scourge, so frightful along the 
coast, it will be necessary to ascend high up towards the table lands. 
Should the former opinion prove to be correct, you may, with 
due regard to the health of the troops, select a position which will 
enable you to cut off all communication between the interior and 
Yera Cruz, and thus essentially aid the navy in its attack upon the 
castle, by intercepting supplies and reinforcements. It is, however, 
hoped that the object of the expedition will be accomplished, so 
far as relates to the city of Yera Cruz and the castle, before the 
return of the sickly season. 

If you should move into the interior, it is presumed that most of 
your supplies must be drawn from the sea coast, and if carried 
through Vera Cruz, or some point in that vicinity, the persons em¬ 
ployed in transporting them must necessarily be exposed to the 
vomito. As the number of persons required for this service would 
be large, a regard to their health is an important matter which 
would not, of course, be overlooked by you or fail to exert a 
proper influence in determining the choice of your position on the 
line of your operations. 

The better opinion seems to be that Tampico is much less un¬ 
healthy than Yera Cruz, and your attention is directed to it as the 
base of operations, at least during the sickly season. It is confi¬ 
dently said by some, who profess to have a knowledge of the coun¬ 
try, that there is a practicable route from Tampico to Mexico, but 
I fear that this is not so, If there were a road for conducting an 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


95 


army from Tampico to Mexico, on anything like a direct route, it 
would be, perhaps, a preferable line for moving on the capital to 
that from Vera Cruz. On the Vera Cruz road»it is known that 
there are several difficult passes, and we are apprised that the Mexi¬ 
cans are diligently employed in fortifying them. They can easily 
be made p’aces of great strength. It is desirable to find some other 
feasible way of penetrating the interior of the country. In addi¬ 
tion to the suggested Tampico route, in the practicability of which 
I confess I have very little confidence, another road to the south¬ 
west of the main one from Vera Cruz, passing through Cordova, 
has been indicated to me. I do not doubt that your best conside¬ 
ration has been given to this subject, and that you will have more 
full and accurate information to act on than can be obtained here. 

The object of this communication is much less to make sugges¬ 
tions in relation to your military movements, either from the coast 
or other points, than to make you acquainted with the views of the 
President in regard to preserving the health of the troops in the 
insalubrious season which is approaching. He is very solicitous 
that the valuable lives of the patriotic men who have, in a manner 
so creditable to themselves, entered the public service to sustain the 
honor and rights of their country, should not be wasted by the 
ravages of the malignant disease, which, during several months of 
the year, is so fatal on some parts of the gulf coast to those who 
are strangers to that climate. Feeling, as I am aware you do, a 
common solicitude with him on this important subject, it is scarcely 
necessary that I should enjoin upon you to adopt such arrange¬ 
ments and precautions as will be likely to afford the best security 
to your command from the danger in this respect to which they 
may be exposed. 

The additional force, authorized by Congress at its late session, 
will be raised and sent forward as soon as practicable. Some of 
the companies are already filled up, while not much progress is yet 
made in recruiting others. No avoidable delay will occur in send¬ 
ing the new levies to the seat of war. The greatest solicitude has 
been felt and the most active measures adopted from the moment 
provision was made to raise the ten additional regiments and ex¬ 
pedite their departure to Mexico; but from the late period at which 
the authority was given by Congress, it is apprehended that a con¬ 
siderable part of the force cannot be relied on for active service 
for some time to come. 

The President has under consideration the policy of raising the 
blockade of all Mexican ports, as they fall into possession of our 
naval or land forces, and to allow all.neutral nations the right, 
during such possession, to trade in articles not contraband of war, 
imposing and collecting, under military authority, import duties, 
when definitely settled. Instructions on this subject will be issued 
to the commanders of our naval and land forces. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

’ W. L. MARCY, 

Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

• Commanding United State$ Army. 



96 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


w 


War Department, March 22, 1847. 

Sir: The information which had just reached us in the shape of 
rumors, as to the'situation of General Taylor an i the forces under 
his command,.has excited the most painful apprehensions for their 
safety. It is almost certain that Santa Anna has precipitated the 
large army he had collected at San Luis de Potosi upon General 
Taylor; and it may be that the general has not been able to main¬ 
tain the advanced position he had seen fit to take at Agua Nueva, 
but has been obliged to fall back on Monterey. It is equally cer¬ 
tain that a Mexican force has been interposed between Monterey 
and the Rio Grande, and that it has interrupted the line of com¬ 
munication between the two places, and seized large supplies which 
were on the way to General Taylor’s army. 

If the hostile force between the Rio Grande and General Tay¬ 
lor’s army is as large as reports represent it, our troops now on 
that river may not be able to re-establish the line, nor will it, per¬ 
haps, be possible to place a force there sufficient for the purpose, 
in time to prevent disastrous consequences to our army, unless aid 
can be afforded from the troops under your immediate command. 

From one to two thousand of the new recruits for the ten regi¬ 
ments, from this quarter, will be on the way to the Brassos in the 
course of three or four days. All the other forces will be directed 
to that point, and every effort made to relieve General Taylor from 
his critical situation. You will have been fully apprised, before 
this can reach you, of the condition of things in the valley of the 
Rio Grande and at the head-quarters of General Taylor, and have 
taken, I trust, such measures as the importance of the subject re¬ 
quires. I need not urge upon you the fatal consequences which 
would result from any serious disaster which might befal the army 
under General Taylor, nor do I doubt that you will do what is in 
your power to avert such a calamity. 

A state of things may exist on the Rio Grande and at Monterey, 
which will require that a part of your forces, after the capture of 
Yera Cruz and the reduction of the castle of San Juan d’Ulloa, 
should return to Tampico'or the Brassos, to carry on operations 
from these points. It is here deemed of the utmost importance 
that the line of the Rio Grande should be maintained, and that 
Monterey should be held by our forces. You will be kept advised 
of all done here to sustain General Taylor and augment the forces 
under him. In ignorance of what may be your own situation, and 
what may be required for the relief of General Taylor, I can give 
no distinct indication of what is deemed proper for you to do, if 
anything beyond what you may have already done, but must re¬ 
quest that no assistance which you can render, without too much 
hazard to your own operations, and he may need, should be with¬ 
held. 

I herewith send you a copy ©f a letter addressed to General 
Brooke. • You will learn, as soon as it can be known here, what 
action he will take under the authority therein given to him. I 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 97 

also enclose herewith a despatch from the Secretary r.f the Navy to 
the commander of our squadron in the gulf. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. Army , #c., Vera Cruz. 

P. S. I have just received your letters of the 28th ultimo and 
the 1st instant. 


War Department, April 12, 1847. 

Sir: The gratifying intelligence of the bombardment of Yera 
Cruz, and of the capture of that city and the strong fortress of San 
Juan d’Ulloa, together with the surrender of the Mexican army 
which garrisoned the two places, effected by the joint and cordial 
co-operation of the army and navy, was officially made known here 
by your despatch of the 29th ultimo, and others of a previous 
date. 

The expedition, so far as it embraced these important objects, 
has been carried out in a manner highly creditable to yourself, to 
the commander of our squadron in the gulf, and to the gallant offi¬ 
cers and brave soldiers, marines and sailors, engaged in the difficult 
and dangerous enterprise. 

In compliance with the direction of the President, it is my pleas¬ 
ing duty to make know T n to yourself, and through you to the army 
under your command, the high gratification which this additional 
instance of the eminent skill and good conduct of our officers, and 
of the endurance and intrepidity of our soldiers, has given him. 

This signal triumph of our arms has called forth rejoicings 
throughout the nation, mingled with heartfelt gratitude to those 
who, in winning battles for their country, are everywhere securing 
glory and fame for themselves. That the possession of so impor¬ 
tant a place in the enemy’s country as the city of Yera Cruz, 
strongly fortified and garrisoned by a large body of troops, and a 
castle renowned for its strength and deemed impregnable by its 
defenders, have been obtained at so small a sacrifice, is just cause 
of admiration* and while millions of our fellow citizens joyously 
exult at this splendid achievement, it is pleasing to reflect that so 
few among us have occasion to mourn. 

Though the sacrifice of life on our part has been comparatively 
small, yet the nation has cause to regret the loss of some of the 
bravest and best of her gallant sons. The tribute of honor and 
respect, rendered by a grateful people, will embalm their memories 
ancl assuage the grie£ of their relatives and friends. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient Ser¬ 
vant, 

W. L. MARCY, Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding army of the U. S., Mexico. 

7 



98 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 20. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Vera Cruz , Jlpril 5, 1847. 

Sir: My hasty report, of the 29th ultimo, made you acquainted 
with the capture of this city and the castle of San Juan d’Ulloa. 

I beg to offer a copy of general orders, No. 80, herewith, as my 
detailed report on the same subject. In the enumeration of the 
active and efficient, I might have given the names of many junior 
field officers of artillery, who assisted in the batteries, besides field 
officers of infantry, both regulars and volunteers, who commanded 
the working parties in, and the guards of the trenches. I may 
yet supply these omissions, and others, at a future time, if I should 
leisure. Both officers and men acquired much distinction on those 
arduous and exposed duties. 

This army was detained some six weeks at the Brassos and Tam¬ 
pico, waiting for water transportation that had been, in good time, 
specifically required, and it is now delayed by the non-arrival of a 
sufficient number of wagons and teams. 

Besides repeated and urgent oral instructions on the subject, I 
beg you tovrefer to papers herewith, marked, respectively. A, E, 
and C. The quartermaster general, who went from this army 
the 20th ultimo, to Tampico, to hasten on land transportation, re¬ 
turned, and is now gone again to that place, to the Brassos and 
New Orleans, for the same purpose. 

The chief quartermaster here reports 180 wagons and teams as 
ready for the road, and 300 wagons, without teams, afloat. He sup¬ 
poses many of both to have been lost in the recent heavy storms 
on this coast, and I have reported, heretofore, that many of our ar¬ 
tillery and cavalry horses perished on board vessels, in the same 
weather. In this neighborhood, notwithstanding every effort, we 
are not likely to supply the tenth part of our wants in horses, 
mules and oxen. Towards Jalapa, (sixty miles,) the chances of 
success are much better. 

I am now organizing a movement of three or four brigades upon 
Jalapa, and have only waited for the arrival of two steamers, from 
Tampico, with mules, for some sixty additional wagons. In the 
mean time the city and camps remain free from signs of malignant 
fever, and we may hope will continue healthy for weeks longer. 

It is evident that the movement of any adequate force, without 
the necessary supplies being well assured, might cause a return to 
our water depots, which would be much worse than standing fast 
for a time. When I commence a march, I shall wish it to be con¬ 
tinuous—with such short delays, only, as may be necessary to oc¬ 
cupy the National Bridge and Jalapa, 30 and 60 miles off, respec¬ 
tively. At present, I apprehend no serious resistance this side of 
Perote, (90 miles,) if there, provided I can find draught animals 
for a small siege train. 

The conflict of arms between the rival parties, in the capital, 
has ceased. I have undoubted information that President Santa 
Anna is in full possession of the executive authority, and that 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 99 

» 

Vice President Farias has resigned, or been expelled. There is no 
longer an opposing party in arms. 

All the intelligent, the wealthy and the sober minded citizens of 
the capital and elsewhere, are anxious for peace—yielding to us, 
as the basis, the left bank of the Rio Grande and Upper California. 
With American commissioners at the head-quarters of this army, I 
think it quite probable that by our arrival at Puebla, if not before, 
we should be met by Mexican commissioners empowered to treat 
on that basis. Other confidential information represents, however, 
that the popular masses are in favor of continuing hostilities, 
although the government should be hunted from State to State, and 
from town to town. 

To several of the prisoners of war of high rank, I made known 
the terms of President Polk’s message to Congress, dated February 
13th last, as also those of the act, placing at his disposition three 
millions of dollars, all indicating the readiness of the United States 
to treat of peace with Mexico,-on terms just and honorable to both 
republics I took care to say that I had not been -clothed with 
diplomatic functions, but thought it probable I should soon be joined 
by American commissioners, authorized not to make overtures, but 
to be in position and readiness to receive* overtures from Mexican 
commissioners, and that, in the meantime, the army would continue 
to advance, presenting at once the olive branch and the sword. I 
have, also, made similar declarations to a very intelligent and in¬ 
fluential person, who has just gone to the capital, and will, I doubt 
not, labor to b^ing about pacific dispositions. I shall soon hear 
from him confidentially. 

Since my last report, I* have received your letters of the 15th and 
22d of the month before the last, and of the 13th ultimo. 

I might very well controvert the military principles so confidently 
laid down by the department, in the second of those letters ; but 
believing that the practice of the United States armies, in the two 
wars with Great Britain, would have no weight in the particular 
case, 1 waive further reply, having, at the moment, no inclination 
and no leisure for controversy. 

Being, by the default of others, thrown upon this coast six weeks 
too late, in respect to the vomito , I have been made to feel the 
deepest solicitude for the safety of the army. 

Tampico is not less unhealthy than Vera Cruz, and Tuspan is 
considered the worst of the three places. 

There is no practicable route for waggons*from Tampico, to San 
Luis de Potosi, except by Victoria and Monterey ; but one by the 
beach, through T-ispan, might be opened, at the expense of great 
labor and time, f: om Tampico to Perote, or to some other point in 
the national road, hence to the capital. That long line of com¬ 
munication, yet t( be opened, in great part, is, of course, out of the 
question, and it could not be shortened by making Tuspan the de¬ 
pot, for two reasons: 1. That harbor is the most difficult of access, 
and 2. When reached, it is the worst for health. I might add, it 
is further from Jalapa, Perote and the centre of the enemy’s re¬ 
sources, than Vera Cruz. 


100 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Our depots, therefore, must of necessity be at this place. The 
harbor is the best on the coast, and hence, to the capital, is the best 
road in the whole country. 

With proper care, I do not apprehend any great mortality in the 
garrisons (see herewith, printed general orders, No. 91) to be left 
in this city and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, nor among the 
hired people of the quartermaster’s and commissary departments, 
because we shall principally, if not only, occupy the water front of 
the city, separated from the inhabitants and open to the sea breezes. 
On that front (looking to the castle) we have, at the extremities of 
the city, forts (bastions) San Iago and Conception, and near the 
mole, spacious and well ventilated public buildings for the troops, 
hospital and depots. I am satisfied that this arrangement is the 
best that I can possibly adopt. A medical board has now a part of 
the subject under consideration, and may change the distribution of 
the troops, above indicated, a little—taking the castle into consider¬ 
ation; and I may throw down, for better ventilation, a part of the 
walls of the city. But the greatest source of malignant fevers will 
be found in the want of ordinary cleanliness in doors, and in the 
streets, on the part of the inhabitants. Every thing is doing, or 
will be done, to correct their filthy habits. 

The garrisons mentioned, will be strengthened by two companies 
of the 1st infantry, which have been ordered here from Tampico, 
Gardenier’s and Plummer’s. 

One of the volunteer companies, Blanchard’s, of Louisiana, men¬ 
tioned in paragraph 1, general'orders No. 91, lays a claim, which 
seems reasonable, to be discharged next month, a year from the time 
it originally volunteered, with so many others from that State, for 
three or six months. 

Points have been made in one of the old volunteer regiments here, 
which may, possibly, be propagated throughout the seven, to this 
effect: 1. That the regiment is entitled to be discharged, in time to 
reach home by the end of its year’s service, and 2. That as the re¬ 
giment was all the sickly season, last year, exposed to the malaria 
of the Rio Grande, it is now entitled to a discharge before it shall 
again be more exposed to fever here, and at New Orleans, on its 
way home. Far from entertaining such claims, I have taken meas¬ 
ures to silence them, and to prevent their spread among other regi¬ 
ments. 

The seven old volunteer regiments with me, now become respect¬ 
able in discipline and efficiency, cannot fail to give us much trouble 
when the time for their discharge, and transportation, back to their 
homes shall arrive. I am looking to that time, and hope for the 
previous arrival of the regiments recently authorized by Congress. 
With a reinforcement of eight or ten thousand men, from that 
source, and recruits for the old regiments, at any point not beyond 
Puebla, I shall, I think, take the capital in all the summer, if 
not earlier stopped by a treaty of peace,' or such terms for an ar¬ 
mistice as will insure one. 

The inhabitants of this city, under the excellent government of 
Brevet Major General Worth, are beginning to be assured of pro¬ 
tection, and to be cheerful. T ose in the vicinity have suffered 


Ex. Doc, No. 56. 


101 


m6re from green recruits, who much dilute the regular companies, 
and from volunteers. My last orders, No. 87, herewith, against 
outrages, have rallied thousands of good soldiers to the support of 
authority. In the meantime, claims for damages, principally on the 
part of neutrals, through their consuls, have been many. I am 
without authority or means to indemnify, and can only feel and de¬ 
plore the disgrace brought upon our arms by undetected villains. 
One, however, a volunteer, has been tried by a military commis¬ 
sion , composed, exclusively, of volunteer officers, and the sentence 
(fine and imprisonment) is just and appropriate. A few other cases 
are now before similar tribunals. # 

A word as to the demolition of the castle of San Juan de Ulloa: 
I know of no other act, on our part, short of the wanton desecra¬ 
tion of the churches in our route, that would, probably, more exas¬ 
perate the Mexican government, and, thereby, diminish the chances 
of an early peace. The castle was the strength and pride of the 
people, who look forward to its peaceful recovery with propor¬ 
tionate anxiety. 

There is nothing in the articles of capitulation that obliges us 
to preserve the fortress, and a slight garrison will hold it—though 
not less unhealthy than the city—up to a peace. Some of the 
beautiful bronze pieces taken with it and the city, (118 out of more 
than 400,) I think of selecting and sending home as trophies. 
Though held, liable to be restored , they need not be restored, 
without the untrammelled consent of the United States. The small 
number, probably a dozen, that I propose to send away, as tro¬ 
phies—as good for that purpose as the whole—-can neither of right, 
nor otherwise, make any immediate or ultimate difficulty. 

Other trophies—flags, colors, and standards—I am about to send 
to you by Colonel Bankhead, selected on account of eminent 
services in the siege, and partly because of his infirm health. The 
number of those objects is small, compared with the strength of 
the garrisons, which leads me to remark that the prisoners parolled, 
and the stands of arms, &c., &c., &c., stated in general orders, 
No. 80, were not therein overstated. 

In the act of writing, the arrival, by water, of 180 mules is 
reported, and I also learn that, besides an equal number from 
Tampico, to-morrow we may hope to obtain some two hundred 
from the country around us. These additions to our road train 
will greatly aid the forward movement intimated above. 

The land expedition that I set on foot the 30th ultimo, under 
Brigadier General Quitman, in conjunction with Commodore Perry, 
against Alvarado, and the works at the mouth of that river, has not 
returned, though I learn, unofficially, that it will be back to¬ 
morrow. The joint forces found that the places had been aban¬ 
doned by the enemy, who left some guns, taken possession of by 
the naval part of the expedition. My objects in uniting with the 
Commodore were, 1st. To neutralize the inhabitants in that 
direction, by assuring them of safety to persons and property;. and 
2d. To open a market for the purchase of horses, mules, and beef 
cattle. I fear that we have not succeeded in the purchases. The 
•commodore had in view the opening a harbor for his smaller 


102 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


vessels, anil to obtain good water, &c., for his squadron. If the 
enemy had chosen to defend his forts, at the mouth of the river, a 
land force would have been necessary to take them in the rear. 
But, I repeat, I am without any pfficial report from either branch 
of the expedition. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


A. 

Extract from a letter , marked u confidential ,” from Major General 
Scott to brevet Major General Jesup , quartermaster general , 
dated 

Brassos Island, January 11, 1847. 

Should the attempt on Vera Cruz be successful, and the Presi¬ 
dent obtain the new regiments proposed to be added to our present 
regular force, amounting, say, to about 12,000 men, a movement 
will be immediately commenced into the interior upon the city of 
Mexico. For this movement, transportation for an army of about 
25,000 men, and for several pieces of heavy ordnance, may be 
required. 

The general desires me to say, expressly, that keeping these 
contingencies in view, you will please make preliminary arrange¬ 
ments to meet them—say, early in April. It is suggested, that, 
possibly, a portion of the transportation, already prepared for 
General Taylor, may be applied to this purpose, as his column will, 
probably, be again considerably reduced. 

HENRY C. WAYNE, 
Captain , Acting Quartermaster. 


B. 

Extract from a postscript of a letter addressed to Captain A. R. 

Hetzel , senior quartermaster , at Brassos Santiago , by Major 

General Scott. 

I have already discussed and arranged with you the details of 
the early land transportation train—say, of one hundred wagons, 
with mule teams, to accompany, or to follow closely, the troops of 
my expedition. If successful in making the descent on the ene¬ 
my’s coast, near Yera Cruz, I may, in a very few weeks, say in 
three, need a much more considerable train of wagons and packs, 
sufficient for an army of (say) ten thousand men. A portion of 
this large addition I may hope to* capture from the enemy, or to 
purchase in his country. 

W. S. ' 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


103 


c. 

Memoranda for Brevet Major General Jesup , Quartermaster Gen- 

eral , U. S. A. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Camp Washington , before Vera Cruz , March 19, 1847. 

A sufficient portion of the siege train for the reduction of the 
castle of Vera Cruz, though due more than a month, not having 
arrived, I can give no definite day for the advance of this army 
into the interior of Mexico, say by the national road hence, 
towards the capital. But I have every reason to hope that the 
heavy guns and mortars, (or most of them,) still due, may be here 
in time to enable the army to take the castle in, say, the next ten, 
or at the outside, fifteen days, when I shall take up the line of 
operations as above. 

For that interior march, a very heavy baggage train, wagons and 
teams, and pack .mules, will be needed for the army, however 
greatly I may restrict the articles to be transported with it. For 
an army of at least 10,000 men, there will be needed, as early in 
April as practicable, means of transportation about as follows: 

Say from 800 to 1000 wagons with five mule teams; 

Say from 2,000 to 3,000 pack mules; 

Say from 300 to 500 draught animals for a travelling siege train, 
including entrenching tools and pioneer tools. 

Some of the draught animals, for all the above uses, say two- 
thirds, we may hope to obtain in this vicinity and on our line of 
operations; but the wagons, and as many of the draught animals as 
possible, must be brought hither from our sources of supply, Tam¬ 
pico, the Brassos and New Orleans. 

In making the above estimate, reliance is placed on the country 
within reach of our line of operations; for forage, beyond five 
leagues from the sea coast; for bread stuffs, at thirty leagues; for 
three days in four, and for the meat ration, five days in six. Not¬ 
withstanding this reliance, it willbe necessary to transport with us 
much hard bread and bacon, coffee, sugar and salt, besides common 
tents, at the rate of three per company; some wall tents for the 
general officers and general staff, and the field and staff of regi¬ 
ments; a full supply of ammunition for artillery and small arms; 
medicines, some hospital stores, and the personal necessaries of 
officers; leaving many wagons for the tiansportation of the sick, to 
the next depot, and pack animals as well as wagons, for gathering 
in forage and subsistence within (say) ten miles of our line of ope¬ 
rations. The loss of draught animals may, no doubt, be readily 
replaced, all along the line of operations, by capture and purchase. 

Besides the estimates above for land transportation, additional 
means must be found for a reinforcement of at least 10,000 men, 
(new regiments and recruits,) expected to join me in all the month 
of May, if not by the end of April. 


WINFIELD SCOTT. 



104 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


General Orders, ? Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. 87. $ Vera Cruz , April 1, 1847. 

Notwithstanding the strong provisions of printed general or¬ 
ders, No. 20, proclaiming martial law , many undoubted atrocities 
have been committed in this neighborhood, by a few worthless 
soldiers, both regulars and volunteers, which, though stamping 
dishonor upon the whole army, remain unpunished, because the 
criminals have not been seized and reported by eye-witnesses of 
the atrocities. 

It must be evident to all who honor their country or respect 
themselves, that law and order cannot be maintained in the army, 
unless every good soldier shall give his personal aid to authority. 
This was invited and expected under that printed order, but cruel 
have been the disappointments of the general-in-chief and all the 
good officers and soldiers of this army. 

One more appeal is made to the ninety-seven honorable men, 
against, perhaps, the three miscreants in every hundred. Cer¬ 
tainly, the great mass ought not to allow themselves to be dis¬ 
honored by a handful of scoundrels, who scout all religion, morals, 
law, and decency. Therefore, let every bad man be denounced in 
his act of guilt, seized, and reported for trial, and this army will 
march in triumph, and be every where kindly received and sup¬ 
plied with necessaries and comforts, by the peaceful and unoffend¬ 
ing inhabitants of the country. ' 

As one preventive to outrages, and all officers will seek to apply 
others, no man will be allowed to stray from his camp or post, in 
future, without a written, permission, and no such permission will 
be given to any soldier not known to be sober and orderly in his 
conduct. This restriction upon the good is the first evil brought 
upon them by undetected criminals. 

All killing of cattle, even for food, and all seizing upon poultry, 
vegetables, and other private property, even under the pretence of 
supplying the sick, mu^t instantly cease, except by express order 
of some officer of high rank. Arrangements have been made to 
supply the army and its hospitals by purchase , and individual of¬ 
ficers or soldiers must, each, purchase for himself, fairly and 
honestly , as at home, all comforts not supplied by government. 

By command of Major General Scott. 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 


General Orders, ? Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. 91. ) Vera Cruz , April 3, 1847. 

1. The first infantry, and the two volunteer companies tem¬ 
porarily attached to the first division of regulars, will, upon the 
march of the army hence, remain to garrison this city and the castle 
of San Juan de Ulloa, when Brevet Colonel Wilson, assigned to 
duty according to his brevet, will become the governor and com¬ 
manding officer of these places. In the meantime that officer, by 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


105 


arrangement with the present governor and commander, may, with 
his regiment, relieve so much of the_actual garrisons as shall be 
found desirable. Accordingly, he will report in person to receive 
orders for his regiment. 

2. With a view to a march into the interior, the baggage of all 
corps and officers will be, in the next two days, reduced to the 
smallest compass and weight. Not more than three common tents, 
principally for arms and the sick, can be allowed for the present, 
to the officers and men of any company, and general officers, 
general staff and field officers, with limit themselves in proportion. 
All surplus baggage, public and private, will, accordingly, be 
properly packed, marked, and turned over to the quartermaster’s 
department for storage. 

Requisitions for means of land transportation, (waggons, pack, 
and draught animals,) will be made upon the chief quartermaster, 
by divisions and by the chiefs of the other branches of the general 
staff, subject to the severest revision ; and notice is now given 
that any excess of baggage, public or private, will be rejected 
and thrown aside by the quartermasters and their agents at the* 
time of loading up, or at any time on the march that such excess 
may be detected. 

4. It is absolutely necessary to an early march, that all public 
means of transportation, waggons, carts, horses, and mules, with 
their harness, saddles, bridles, halters, and pack saddles, now in 
the use of the corps, or in the hands of individual officers and men, 
should, without delay, be turned over to the quartermaster’s de¬ 
partment, which has instructions to re-loan three or four horses, in 
as many extreme cases, for a very short time longer. This order 
includes all such animals as may be held, under the pretence of 
capture, or purchase, since the army landed near the city. Cap¬ 
tured property is always held for the benefit of the service 
generally, and no purchase can be respected, unless witnessed, and 
approyed at the time, by a general officer or commander of a 
brigade, inasmuch, as if the property be stolen by the seller, it 
will certainly be restored, or paid for, by the United States, on 
demand and proof on the part of the rightful owner. 

5. If the foregoing directions be not complied with fully, before 
to-morrow night, measures will be taken, however reluctantly, to 
seize every object designated above, and throw the burden of 
proving a just private title upon the possessor of the property. 

By command of Major General Scott. 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 


Head-quarters 2d Dragoons, 
Camp near Vera Cruz , April 4, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to report to the general-in-chief that, in 
obedience to his letter of instruction to me, dated April 1st, I pro¬ 
ceeded, on the morning of the 2d instant, on the road to Antigua. 



106 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


My command consisted of two squadrons of dragoons, under the 
immediate command of Major Sumner; one section of artillery, 
under Captain Taylor, and seven companies of foot, under Major 
Bainbridge. 

After reaching the mouth of the river, I found the guide fur¬ 
nished me entirely ignorant of the road; another was procured, how¬ 
ever, from a house near by, and from him I learned that there was 
a force of one hundred lancers in the town. The dragoons were 
immediately pushed forward on the road, but soon found their pro¬ 
gress stopped by an almost impenetrable barrier of trees and bushes 
thrown across the road, and extending some twenty or thirty yards; 
with great labor these were removed, as were also three or four 
other obstacles of the same character, evidently so placed by the 
enemy to retard pursuit. 

Arrived at the river, the dragoons crossed immediately to the op¬ 
posite bank; the stream was some three and a half feet deep, and 
one hundred and fifty yards wide. The head of the column, on 
reaching the bank, perceived some lancers escaping through the 
•main street, and chase was immediately given, which resulted in the 
capture of one lieutenant and eight soldiers, with their horses, sad¬ 
dles and arms; the dense thicket surrounding the town greatly faci¬ 
litated the escape of the remainder, (there were about forty in all, 
I subsequently learned,) though some twenty-five of their horses 
fell into our hands. Believing the enemy’s force to be completely 
routed and dispersed, I directed the artillery and foot companies to 
remain in camp on the right bank of the river, without crossing, 
which was done. 

It is proper to remark that there are comfortable stone barracks 
and stabling for one squadron of dragoons at this town, which ap¬ 
pear to have been recently erected. It was doubtless the object of 
the troop stationed here to prevent supplies of any kind being 
brought to your camp; their dispersion may, perhaps, have the ef¬ 
fect of opening a market from that quarter. Every inducement was 
offered to effect this object, and the residents promised to confer 
together, and do all that lay in their power to further your views. 

With regard to the other objects of the expedition, I beg respect¬ 
fully to say that but little opportunity offers of procuring supplies 
from the district in question. I was not able to learn that there 
were any mules to be had on any terms, and cattle, though plenty, 
would not be sold but at most exorbitant prices. 

Believing no further good could be accomplished by a longer 
stay, the necessary orders were given to return to this camp, which 
I reached about 2 o’clock, p. m., on the 3d instant. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. S. HARNEY, 
Colonel commanding. 

Lieutenant H. L. Scott, 

A. A. A. General , Vera Cruz . 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


107 


Head-quarters 2d Brigade, Volunteer Division, 
Camp , Vera Cruz , April 7, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to submit a brief report of the expedition 
to Alvarado, with which I was charged, by orders from the com¬ 
mander-in-chief. 

• My command, consisting of the regiments from Georgia, Alaba¬ 
ma, South Carolina, a squadron of dragoons, under Major Beall, 
and a section of artillery, under command of Lieutenant Judd, left 
their camp, about 3 o’clock, p. m., on the 30th March, and advanced 
that evening to the mouth of Madelin river, when we encamped. I 
had previously arranged with Commodore Perry a plan of co-oper¬ 
ation for the expedition against Alvarado, in which it was stipu¬ 
lated that, whether resistance were made or not, the land and naval 
forces would effect an entrance at the same time, and act conjointly 
with each other. In crossing the Madelin river, on the morning of 
the 31st, I was greatly indebted to the assistance of the navy, in 
preparing a bridge of boats, under the energetic direction of Lieu¬ 
tenant Whitwell, first lieutenant of the Ohio ship of the line. The 
march, on the 31st, lay partly along the beach, through deep sand, 
and partly over a plain country, in rear of Lizardo. On the 1st 
March, [April,] we again struck the beach, and pursued it to the 
mouth of the Alvarado river, with the infantry and train. I reached 
the town of Alvarado, with the cavalry, on the evening of the 1st 
of March, [April,] about half an hour after Commodore Perry had 
landed there. In the mean time, when about fifteen miles from the 
town, I had received a note from Midshipman Temple, of the 
steamer Scourge, informing me that the town had surrendered, and 
requesting the commander of the land forces to hold it. This 
note is annexed to this report. Immediately upon my arrival, Com¬ 
modore Perry expressed to me his disapproval of the act of Mr. 
Hunter, the commander of the Scourge, in landing; and has, 
I learn, signified it more publicly by the arrest of that officer. 

My command was posted in the town during my stay there. On 
the 2d, Commodore Perry, in the steamer Spitfire, proceeded up the 
river to the town of Tlacatalpa, having invited me to join him. My 
presence being required in camp, I sent with the expedition Lieu¬ 
tenant Derby, of the topographical engineers. Commissioners from 
that town conferred with the commodore and myself at Alvarado. 
They had made an unconditional surrender of their town and the 
neighboring country to our arms, and promised to furnish a number 
of horses, at least 500, to the quartermaster’s department, at low 
prices. The town of Alvarado contains about 1,200 to 1,500 inha¬ 
bitants, most of whom, however, had fled on our approach. With 
the surrender of the town, there fell into the hands of our naval 
and military forces twenty-two pieces of artillery, some ammuni¬ 
tion and military equipments, of minor value, all of which were left 
in the possession of the naval forces on our departure, as the com¬ 
mon capture of the naval and land forces. On the morning of the 
4th of April, my command left Alvarado and reached its. camp at 
Vera Cruz on the forenoon of the 6th, having again been indebted 


108 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


to the active and prompt assistance of First Lieutenant Whitwell, 
of the navy, and the officers under his command, in crossing the 
Madelin at its mouth. I have the pleasure to report that although 
the leading objects of the expedition had been anticipated, by 
the surrender of the city, the other objects designated in my in¬ 
structions have been fully accomplished. The Mexican population 
to the southward of this point have been conciliated by the exem¬ 
plary conduct of the troops. On my departure from Alvarado I 
had the gratification to receive the thanks of the alcalde, the cura 
and the principal men, for the protection afforded to them and to 
their property. I feel perfectly assured that our march has made 
a favorable impression upon the inhabitants. Communications have 
been opened with the people of the fertile country near the river 
Alvarado* and negotiations opened for supplies of horses and beef 
cattle, in which the country abounds. Lieutenant Mason, of the 
engineer corps, was detailed to accompany the expedition. He 
joined my staff, and performed, at his own request, the duty of su¬ 
perintending the pioneers in the repairs of the roads, and greatly 
facilitated the march by his attention to this matter. His report to 
me, which is transmitted, will show the description and calibre of 
the captured guns. Lieutenant Derby, of the topographical engi¬ 
neers, volunteered to act generally on my staff, and was zealous and 
active in the duties assigned him. For the order and good conduct 
of my command, I am also greatly indebted to the active assistance 
of Captain Deas, assistant adjutant general, and to the respective 
commanders of the regiments and separate commands. Commodore 
Perry, with his accustomed liberality, regards all captures made 
jointly by both commands. I cannot close this report without ex¬ 
pressing the great gratification which an official intercourse with 
this patriotic ancl efficient naval officer has occasioned. I also beg 
leave to present the valuable services which I received from that 
efficient officer Captain Irwin, assistant quartermaster, who had 
been detailed in that capacity under my command. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. A. QUITMAN, 

Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding , fyc. 

Lieutenant H. L. Scott, 

A. A. A. General. 


Vera Cruz, April 6, 1847. 

15ir: In compliance with your directions, I present the following 
memorandum of the engineer operations, (infinitely small as they 
were,) during your recent march to and from Alvarado. 

On the 30th of March I joined your command at about 3, p. m., 
In less than an hour after, you commenced your march from your 
camp towards Alvarado- the South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama 
regiments, one section of Captain Steptoe’s battery, (3d artillery,) 
and a squadron of dragoons, under Major B. L. Beall, constituted 
your command. Passing by this city, and keeping constantly on 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


109 


the sea beach, everywhere practicable for horses and wagons, you 
reached the mouth of the Madelin river the same evening. The 
distance is estimated at eleven miles. Your force bivouacked there 
during the night. 

Next morning, at an early hour, you commenced your preparations 
to cross the river. Lieutenant Derby, of topographical engineers, 
and myself went over in a canoe, and found that, at the narrowest 
point of the liver, the depth of water was between seven and eight 
feet. Subsequently a ford was found at the beach. A bridge was 
made at the narrows of the river, by the navy officers and men sent 
by Commodore Perry, and the infantry passed there, while the ar¬ 
tillery, cavalry, and wagons crossed at the ford alluded to. After 
passing the river, the beach was very difficult to artillery and 
wagons, for a distance of about two and a half miles. The pi'oneer 
company, ordered out by you, with great alacrity and zeal cleared 
the road, removing and cutting the logs and levelling the steep 
p T aces. After crossing the two and a half miles alluded to, the 
beach broadened and flattened into a good road until we reached 
Anton Lizardo. One mile this side of Anton Lizardo we should 
have turned off from the beach, but we did not, owing to the igno¬ 
rance of our guide. However, retracing our steps, we turned off 
from the beach, and, at the spot marked (A) on the map herewith, 
we came suddenly on a hill, whose acclivity was so great as to 
reach the maximum of steepness practicable by harnessed wagons. 
This caused some little delay; but the pioneer company soon con¬ 
structed a tolerable road up the steep, and all the wagons and 
guns passed it safely. We then entered a fine meadow plain filled 
with cattle. We bivouacked that night at the point marked (M) 
on the map. 

Next day (April 1st) we marched from (M) Loscocos to Alvarado, 
following the beach to the point marked (R) on the map. At (R) 
we left the beach and followed the bridle path marked on the map. 
This was, I think, longer than the beach road, and by no means so 
good, the heat being much greater than we should have found on 
the beach. This path being impracticable to wagons, the general 
took with him onl) the cavalry and staff, the infantry, artillery, and 
wagons following the next day by the beach road. 

Alvarado contains 300 houses, and from 1,200 to 1,500 people. It 
is protected against naval attacks by five batteries firing on the river, 
but possessing no power of resistance to a force that lands and 
attacks their rear. I will refer to these batteries, beginning at the 
mouth of the river. 

No. 1 is a semi-circular battery, with embrasures and platforms 
for nine guns All the guns gave over had been removed. A little 
to its left was a redan, intended for two guns, but containing none 
at the time I visited it. 

No. 2 was on the right bank of the river. I did not cross the 
river to visit it. My navy friends described it as a five-gun battery. 
It was visible from No. 3, opposite to which it was, and seemed to 
me to be as described. 


110 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


No. 3 was a seven-gun battery, and contained all its guns (car- 
ronades) excepting one long 24-pounder. 

No. 4, just below the town, contained one long 24-pounder and 
three carronades. 

No. 5, triangular work for seven guns—three-brass 18-pounders, 
three 24-pounder carronades, and one iron 12-pounder. 

On the morning of the 4th April we left Alvarado to return. We 
reached this place on the morning of the 6th instant. No circum¬ 
stance, on the return march, worthy of special mention now occurs 
to me. 

Respectfully, yours, 

J. L. MASON. 

General Quitman, 

United States Army. 


No. 21. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Vera Cruz , April 8, 1847. 

Sir: A vessel, unexpectedly, being about to sail this morning for 
New Orleans, I write in haste, principally to forward by Colonel 
Bankhead, a passenger, a package of papers trom the acting in¬ 
spector general, containing lists of prisoners of war paroled, 
&c., &c. 

The movement upon Jalapa, announced in general orders, No. 
94, herewith, commences to-day. Major General Patterson will 
follow to-morrow. 

This movement is forced, in reference to our very inadequate 
means of transportation, but made in the hope of doubling those 
means. 

Jalapa is the first point from the coast which combines healthi¬ 
ness with the reasonable prospect of obtaining some of the heavier 
articles of consumption for the army: as breadstuffs, fresh beef, and 
forage. 

Another expedition sails this morning for Alvarado, to ascend 
that river some forty miles, with some urospect of obtaining a thou¬ 
sand or more horses for cavalry, draught, and packs. 

^ I have the honor to remain, sir, with great respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Ill 


General Orders, ? Head-quarters of the army, 

No. 94. J Vera Cruz, April 6, 1847. 

Limited means of transportation being in readiness, portions of 
the army will march as follows: 

The second division of regulars on the 8th instant, and the divi¬ 
sion of volunteers (two brigades only) twenty-four hours later. 

Major General Patterson will leave one of his three brigades in 
this immediate vicinity for further means of transportation, and al¬ 
so the Tennessee dismounted cavalry until the arrival of their 
horses. Both of these corps, for the time, will be under the im¬ 
mediate orders of the same brigadier general, and the latter, when 
his division marches, will report to general head-quarters for in¬ 
structions. 

The respective chiefs of the general staff will assign to the head¬ 
quarters of each marching division, an engineer, topographical en¬ 
gineer, and ordnance officer; an assistant quartermaster, an assis¬ 
tant commissary, and a medical officer. 

The chief quartermaster w T ill assign to the 2d division, forty-five 
wagons, and to the division cf volunteers, fifty-five, for the entire 
baggage of the officers of every grade, the regiments and compa¬ 
nies. The interior distribution of wagons will be made at the 
head-quarters of each division. 

Taylor’s and Talcott’s field batteries will march with the 2d di¬ 
vision, and Steptoe’s with the division of volunteers. 

Colonel Harney will detach a squadron of the 2d dragoons with 
each of those divisions. 

A special requisition for transportation will be made for each of 
those field batteries and squadrons, and one wagon will be assigned 
to the medical director of the division, for extra medicines and 
hospital stores. 

Every man will take for his musket or rifle, forty rounds of am¬ 
munition, and in his haversack hard bread for four days, and ba¬ 
con or pork (cooked) for two days. Fresh beef, with rations of 
salt, will be issued on the march. 

The utmost care will always be taken of ammunition and food 
issued to the troops. 

The chief quartermaster will send, in extra wagons, grain for the 
saddle, artillery, and cavalry horses of each division, for four days, 
and each baggage wagon will take grain for the same number of 
days for its own team. 

He will also turn over to the chief of ordnance ten wagons, and 
to the chief commissary one hundred wagons, to be loaded by them, 
respectively, with cartridges for small arms and subsistence stores. 

These extra wagons will be divided between the two divisions, 
march with, and be escorted and guarded, like other wagons at¬ 
tached to the divisions. 

The quartermaster’s and commissary’s departments will take 
prompt measures for the purchase and issue, on the march, of such 
forage and subsistence as it may be practicable to obtain, as also 
for the trains and escorts that may be sent back to this depot. 


112 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Each general of division will receive a route of march and in¬ 
structions from general head-quarters. 

Bv command of Major General Scott, 

' H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 


War Department, April 30, 1847. 

Sir : I herewith transmit to you a statement prepared by the 
adjutant general, showing the number of troops, of various de¬ 
scriptions, which, it is expected, will be under the command of 
yourself and General Taylor at the time when the volunteers, now 
in service for twelve months, will be entitled to their discharge. 
The statement also shows the manner in which the President has 
organized the volunteers now in the field, and called out for the 
war. The law requires that the President should organize the 
volunteer force, and he has done so; but if the-exigencies of the 
service should require a modification or different arrangement, it 
will be made by the commanding generals to whom these troops are 
assigned. 

The number of troops for the main column of the army under 
your immediate command, will not, it is believed, be at any time 
diminished, but, on the contrary, soon be increased; and, by the end 
of June, raised to about twenty thousand. The column under the 
immediate command of Major General Taylor, will, it is expected, 
be full ten thousand strong. This distribution of our forces has 
been made without such means as you possess of determining what 
the service may require, and may, therefore, be changed, if the 
public good demands a different allotment. On this point the 
President wishes to be furnished with your opinion and views. 

I herewith transmit to you a copy of General Taylor’s letter to 
this department, of the 14th of March, presenting his views of what 
ought to be the number and character of the column under him, 
if it is expected that it should advance into the interior of the 
enemy’s country. He urges the necessity of having with that 
column, in case of a forward movement, two or three thousand 
veteran troops that have seen service. However desirable it may 
be to strengthen his column in the way he proposes, yet, as the 
brunt of the war will, most probabjy, be borne by th# army under 
your command, it would not, I apprehend, be wise to diminish that 
description of your troops, and the number desired cannot other¬ 
wise be obtained. Whether the suggestion of General Taylor can 
be carried out or not, can be best determined by you. As the 
general c .mmanding in chief in Mexico, this, as well as many 
other matters, must, of course, be left to your judgment and direc¬ 
tion. 

The statement herewith furnished will show the amount of troops 
which the government hopes to be able to send to the seat of war, 
and it is believed you will have a sufficient force to penetrate the 
interior, and even to reach the city of Mexico. What embarrass- 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


113 


ments may attend your forward movements, arising from the diffi¬ 
culties of obtaining supplies and the means of transportation, can¬ 
not be foreseen or anticipated here. The movements of General 
Taylor’s column will depend, in a great measure, upon the move¬ 
ments of the main column under you. Whether it will be advisable 
for him to employ his force to create a diversion, or to move for¬ 
ward, in order to form a junction with you, or to hold his present 
line, or any other more eligible, are points on which the President 
desires your views; and it is deemed important that he should be 
favored with them at the earliest period. You will not, however, 
delay, in the mean time, to confer with General Taylor in relation 
to his operations, and give such directions thereto as the exigencies 
of the public service may require. 

The last communication from you, dated the 8th instant, and re¬ 
ceived last evening, furnished the gratifying information that the 
advance upon Jalapa had already commenced. It is most anxiously 
desired that the army should be placed beyond the reach of the 
pestilence which prevails at Yera Cruz and the vicinity, through 
the summer months. I cannot too earnestly impress on you this 
important consideration, or the deep anxiety here felt that all 
possible precautions should be taken, for the preservation of the 
health of the troops. That portion of the new recruits and volun¬ 
teers destined for the army under your command, must, unavoidably, 
debark at Yera Cruz. I trust you will make all the necessary ar¬ 
rangements to prevent their detention at that unhealthy place. 

Intimations have reached here that there is a disposition in seme 
portion of the people of the department of Yera Cruz, and other 
provinces, to sever their connection with the central government. 
Should this be found to be the case, you will countenance and en¬ 
courage it in the most effective way in your power, but will take 
care not to commit the United States to any course which would 
embarrass our government in the negociations for peace, or hold 
out the promise of aid or protection, beyond the continuance of the 
present war. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient ser¬ 
vant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding United States army in Mexico. 


8 



114 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

STATEMENT, No. 1. 

REGULAR ARMY.—ADDITIONAL FORCE. 


Organization of the additional military force into brigades and di¬ 
visions , 'pursuant to the provisions of the first section of the act 
authorizing the appointment of an additional number of general 
officers, approved March 3, 1847. 


[Estimated strength at 80 men to a company. ] 


Officers. 

Total. 

Aggre¬ 

gate. 

47 

804 

851 

47 

804 

851 

47 

804 

851 ^ 

141 

2,412 

2,553a 

47 

804 

851 

47 

804 

851 

47 

804 

851 

141 

2,412 

2,553 a 

47 

804 

851 

47 

804 

851 

47 

804 

851 

141 

2,412 

2,553 a 

48 

805 

853 


Brigade .—To be commanded by Brigadier General Pierce. 


9th infantry, raised in the New England 
States - 

12th infantry, raised in North and South } 
Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, and Mis- > 
souri ) 

loth infantry, raised in Ohio, Michigan, f 
Iowa, and Wisconsin. - - t 


Col. Ransom. 

Lt. Col. Bonham, 
in absence of Col. 
Wilson. 

Lt. Col. Howard, 
in absence of Col. 
Morgan. 


Brigade .—To be commanded by Brig. Gen. Cadwalader. 

11th infantry, raised in Pennsylvania, Dela¬ 
ware, and Maryland - - - Col. Ramsey. 

14th infantry, raised in Louisiana, Tennes¬ 
see, and Illinois - Col. Trousdale. 

Yoltigeurs or foot riflemen, raised in Penn¬ 
sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, 

Mississippi, and Kentucky - - Col. Andrews. 


Brigade .— To be commanded by Brigadier General Hopping. 

10th infantry, raised in New York and New 
Jersey ' - * - Col. Temple. 

13th infantry, raised in Virginia, Georgia, 

Alabama, and Florida - - - Col. Echols. 

16th infantry, raised in Kentucky, Indiana, 
and Illinois - Col. Tibbatts. 


3d regiment of dragoons—assigned to the command under Major 
General Taylor. 


RECAPITULATION. 


Brigade - 
Brigade - 
Brigade - 
3d dragoons 

Ten regiments 



Total. 

Aggregate. 

. 

. 

. 


_ 


. 

2,412 

a 2,553 

" 

* 

- 


- 

* 

- 

2,412 

a 2,553 

* 

• 

» 

• 

- 

- 

- 

2,412 

a 2,553 

* 

* 


* 

* 

- 

* 

805 

853 

* 

- 

• 

* 

• 

- 

- 

8,041 

8,512 


























































Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

REMARKS. 


115 


1. One of the major generals of the regular army (appointed un¬ 
der the act of March 3, 1847,) will continue with the main army, 
under the major general commanding-in-chief; and the other he will 
trrder to join the army under Major General Taylor, who will as¬ 
sign him to the command of a division. 

2. Brigadier Generals Pierce and Cadwalader, with their brigades, 
as seen above, are assigned to the main army, under the immediate 
command of Major General Scott. All the necessary instructions 
have been despatched, directing the regiments to join the headquar¬ 
ters of the general-in-chief, via Vera Cruz. Nearly all of the com¬ 
panies, (except those of the 9th and 12th,) composing these brigades, 
ought to arrive at Vera Cruz by the last of May, and the two bri¬ 
gades should muster nearly 3,500 strong. 

3. Brigadier General Hopping, with his brigade, and the 3d regi¬ 
ment of dragoons, are assigned to the division of the army under 
Major General Taylor; and it is calculated that the 10th and 16th 
regiments will soon be filled, and be concentrated at Point Isabel 
before the end of May. These two regiments should muster 1,600 
or 1,800 strong, if not more. 

4. The organization into brigades and divisions, having been made 
by the President according to law, he directs, will nevertheless be 
subject to such changes and alterations as the good of the service 
in time of campaign may, in the opinion of the general-in-chief 
commanding in the field, render necessary and proper. 


General officers , in the order of rank, for duty with the ten regiments. 

1. Major Gen. Pillow.. ) One to continue with Major Gen. Scott, 

\ and one to be sent to Major General 

2. Major Gen. Quitman J Taylor. 

1. Brig. Gen. Pierce.Assigned to the main army, under Major 

General Scott. 

2. Brig. Gen. Cadwalader. Assigned to the main army, under Major 

General Scott. 

3. Brig. Gen. Hopping. .. Assigned to the army under Major Gen¬ 

eral Taylor. 

By order: 

R. JONES, 

Adjutant General. 

War Department, 

Adjutant GeneraVs Office , Washington , April 26, 1847. 




116 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


STATEMENT, No. 2. 

VOLUNTEER SERVICE. 

Organization of the regiments of volunteers called out in November , 
1846, and Aprils 1847, into brigades and divisions. 

[To join the army under the immediate orders of Major General Scott, via Vera Cruz.] 


Strength when mustered in. 



Total. 



761 j 
1,780 < 

t ^ 

> 

k Oi 

Estimated 

160 ‘ 

t cs 


2,701 


Estimated 

Do 

Do 

Do 

920 | 
833 | 

400 ' 
160 
400 
80 

f 

[ <£> 

; e 


2,793 


Brigade .—To be commanded by Brig. Gen. Shields. 

1 regiment from New York. 

2 regiments from Pennsylvania. 

companies from Pennsylvania, (to be raised.) 


Brigade. —[Vacant.]—Brigadier General to be appointed. 

1 regiment from South Carolina. 

1 regiment from Louisiana. 

companies, (battalion,) foot, from Louisiana, (to be raised.) 
companies, horse, from Louisiana, (to be raised.) 
companies, (battalion,) foot, from Georgia, (to be raised.) 
company, horse, from Georgia, (to be raised.) 


[Assigned to the division of the army under Maj. Gen. Taylor.] 


Brigade .—To be commanded by Brig. Gen. Marshall. 




814; 




1,042 

> “T 



740 * 

k of 

' S3 

Estimated 

- 

160 




2,756 


Estimated 


800 


Do 


80 


Do 


800 


Do 


400 


Do 


80 


Do 


80 

i o 



350 j 

r iq 

f '00 




) a 



2,590 





J 00 



873 

i OO 





Estimated 

- 

800 


Do 

- 

80 


Do 

- 

400 


Do 

. 

400 


Do 

- 

80 



2,633 


* 1 regiment from Mississippi. 

* 1 regiment from Virginia. 

* 1 regiment from North Carolina. 

f 5 companies, (battalion,) foot, from Virginia. 

Brigade .—To be commanded by Brig. Gen. Lane. 

1 regiment from Illinois, (to be raised.) 

1 company, horse, from Illinois, (to be raised.) 

1 regiment from Indiana, (to be raised.) 

5 companies, (battalion,) foot, from New Jersey, (to be raised.) 
1 company, foot, from Florida, (to be raised ) 

1 company, horse, from Arkansas, (to be raised ) 

5 companies, horse, from Texas, (to be raised.) 


Brigade .—To be commanded by Brig. Gen. Cushing. 

* 1 regiment from Massachusetts. 

1 regiment from Ohio, (to bo raised.) 

1 company, horse, from Ohio, (to be raised.) 

5 companies, (battalion,) foot, from District of Columbia and 
Maryland, (to be raised.) 

5 companies, (battalion,) foot, from Alabama, (to be raised.) 

1 company, horse, from Alabama, (to be raised.) 


t Two companies to be raised—3 supernumerary companies now with regiment in Mexico. 





























Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

RECAPITULATION. 


117 


a 2,541 
a 1,753 
a 2,596 
a 350 
a 873 


8,113 volunteers called out in November last, and now in 
===== the field—sick included. 

General officers for the volunteer forces , in the order of rank: re¬ 
assignment to brigades and divisions. 

1. Major General Butler, to remain with the army under Major 

General Taylor. 

2. Major General Patterson, to remain with the main army, under 

Major General Scott. 

1. Brigadier General Marshall, to remain with the army under Ma¬ 

jor General Taylor. 

2. Brigadier General Lane, to remain with the army under Major 

General Taylor. 

3. Brigadier General Shields, to remain with the main army, under 

Major General Scott. 

4. Brigadier General Cushing, assigned to the army under Major 

General Taylor. 

REMARKS. 

1. Major General Butler will resume the command of a division 
under Major General Taylor, when able to join the army in the 
field. 

2. Major General Patterson, now with the army in Mexico, will 
continue in command of the division of volunteers serving with the 
column under the immediate orders of the major general command¬ 
ing-in-chief. 

3. The regiments and companies marked thus [*] are now serv¬ 
ing in the field; the others are to be raised under the call of April 
19, 1847. 

Recapitulation of strength of volunteer brigades. 


Assigned to main army, 
under Major General 
Scott 

Assigned to army under 
Major General Tay¬ 
lor- 


Total. 


5,494 


7,979 


C 2,701 

(2,793 
? 2,756 

] 2,590 
[2,633 


Brigade—to be commanded by Brig. Gen. Shields. 

Brigade—brigadier general to be appointed. 
Brigade—to be commanded by Brigadier General 
Marshall. 

Brigade—to be commanded by Brig. Gen. Laie. 
Brigade—to be commanded by Brigadier General 
Cushing. 


Total for brigades 


13,473 















118 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

REMARKS. 


1. Of this force, (13,473,) 8,113 were mustered into service under 
the call made in November last; but, counting the casualties, it may 
now be computed to be but little, if any, over 7,000. Computing 
the companies to be 80 when mustered into service, the additional 
volunteer force, under the call of April 19th, will amount to 6,480 
men, of which 1,200 are assigned to the army under General Scott, 
and 5,280 to the army under General Taylor. 

2. Of the volunteers called out in November last, (8,113,) 4,994 
are serving with the army under Major General Scott, and 3,819 
with the division under Major General Taylor; but the casualties 
of the service require a deduction of at least 15 percent, from this 
number—[April 26th, i. e., during the first three months of service.] 

By order: 


R. JONES, 

Adjutant General. 


War Department, 

Adjutant Generates Office , Washington , April 26, 1847. 


No 22. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Vera Cruz , April 11, 1847. 

Sir: According to general orders, No. 94, Twiggs’s division of 
regulars (the 2d) marched tor Jalapa, the 8th instant, and were 
followed, the next day, by Patterson’s division (two brigades onlv) 
of volunteers; leaving Quitman’s brigade and Thomas’s Tennessee 
horse. Worth’s division of regulars, (the 1st,) and the seige train, 
remained behind, fiom the same cause—the want of means of trans¬ 
portation. (See general orders, No. 105, of this date.) Brevet 
Lieutenant Colonel Martin Scott, and 300 men of the 5th infantry, 
sailed the 8th instant, to ascend the Alvarado sftme 50 miles, in 
search of draught and pack animals, to be back in two or three 
days from this time. 

From the advancing columns I have yet heard not a word. Twiggs 
must now be near Jalapa. I sent him, the 9th instant, a note through 
the commanders in his rear, advising him that President Santa Anna 
had arrived at Jalapa, with a force of, exaggerated by rumor, 6,000 
men. I did not believe in half that number. (See the note ad¬ 
dressed, in the first instance, to Major General Patterson, herewith 
enclosed.) I, however, made some hasty arrangements to follow, 
personally, at the first intimation that a serious conflict might be 
expected. I still believe that none is to be expected this side of 
Jalapa, or before my arrival there. 

In the mean time, our means of transportation are slowly in¬ 
creasing, by arrivals from the Brassos and Tampico; to be further 
augmented, we have some reason to hope, from Alvarado and the 
line of operation in front. Captain Irwin, now some days chief of 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 119 

the quartermaster’s department, is displaying great energy and 
powers of combination. 

As the result of an increase of horses^ wheels, and packs, three 
heavy seige pieces will move to-morrow, and, I think, Worth’s di¬ 
vision in twelve or twenty-four hours later. Again, please see 
general orders, No. 105. 

I hope not to be called to the front in the next day or two, when 
my arrangements, of every sort, for this depot, will be so far ad¬ 
vanced as to give to forward movements firmness of step and con¬ 
sistency; otherwise the army, without reference to the enemy, might 
be in danger of retracing its steps towards this water depot, in 
search of indispensable supplies. 

I have good reason to know that the Mexican Congress have 
secretly authorized President Santa Anna to negotiate a peace with 
the United States; on what basis or ultimatum I may learn through 
my agents in a few days. The department need not fear that I shall, 
early or late, consent to any truce, without placing the United 
States on a safe footing for negotiations. 

The quartermaster’s and commissary departments are in want of 
funds for disbursements, and there is silver coin in abundance here, 
in the hands of, principally, foreign merchants. They are willing 
to cash drafts upon the United States, endorsed officially by me, 
but demand that we should allow a premium of six per centum— 
the amount already paid to Mexico for the privilege of shipment 
to Europe. I have replied that, if the United States drafts are 
not worth the full amount expressed on their face, that the United 
States forces are strong enough not to allow an ounce of the pre¬ 
cious metals to be shipped to Europe, without my consent, or with¬ 
out payment of a duty equal to the premium demanded. Hence 
my order, No. 103, of yesterday, herewith enclosed. The money is 
held for shipment in the next steam packet, British. This will soon 
show that the United States are sovereign in the principal Mexican 
ports, and bring our drafts up to par. Then I may, on the pro¬ 
mises necessary, rescind that older, or take the money that the army 
may need and give drafts, at par, for it. 

In the act of writing, I have received the report of Brigadier 
General Twiggs, with the addition of Brigadier General Pillow on 
this side, of which I enclose copies. Major General Patterson, 
who has been somewhat out of health, had not quite got up with 
Pillow, te : porarily in the command of the volunteer division. 
Four thousand men I think rather an exaggerated account of the 
enemy’s force this side of Jalapa. Nevertheless, by working all 
night, I shall deem it best to be ready to go forward, personally, 
early in the morning. 

I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect, your most obedient 

WINFIELD SCOTT, 

Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 

P. S. I send copies, in English and Spanish, of my proclamation 



120 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


of this date. It is likely to do much good. I enclose also some 
other papers, not specifically named above. 


« New Orleans, April 23, 1847. 

Sir: The accompanying package* was entrusted to my care, with 
instructions from General Scott to deposite it in the post office at 
New Orleans, if, on my arrival there, I should feel unable to pro¬ 
ceed at once to Washington, via Mobile. 

In accordance with this direction, I send the letter by mail, and 
beg leave to state, in explanation to one of the orders enclosed, 
(No. 108,) that it was issued after the parties interested had prom¬ 
ised to receive United States paper at par for the specie of the 
country. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient ser¬ 
vant, • 

E. P. SCAMMON, 
ls£ Lieut.) and A. Aid-de-camp . 

To Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


General Orders, \ 

No. 75. ) 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Camp Washington , before Vera Cruz , March 28, 1847. 

As soon as the city of Vera Cruz shall be garrisoned by his 
brigade, Brigadier General Worth will become the temporary gov¬ 
ernor of the same. 

Without disturbing the ordinary functions of the civil magis¬ 
tracy, as between Mexicans and Mexicans, he will establish strict 
police regulations for securing good order and good morals in the 
said city. 

He will also establish a temporary and moderate tariff of duties, 
subject to the approval of the general-in-chief and Commodore 
Perry, commanding United States home squadron, on all articles 
imported by sea from countries other than the United States; the 
proceeds of said tariff to be applied to the benefit of the sick and 
wounded of the army, the squadron, and the indigent inhabitants 
of Vera Cruz. 

The tariff so to be established will be continued until the instruc¬ 
tions of the government at home shall be made known in the case. 

By command of Major General Scott. 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 


* General Scott’s despatch, above, and the following papers, therein enclosed. 









Ex. Doc. No. 56. 121 

The following tariff of duties is decreed and announced for the in¬ 
formation of all concerned: 

Vera Cruz, April 3, 1847. 

1. All articles introduced by regularly appointed sutlers, (who 
will be required to exhibit to the assistant adjutant general the 
evidence of their appointment,) called and known as soldiers’ 
necessaries , as also supplies of all kinds for officers, are duty free; 
but to avoid misapprehension or fraud, all articles imported by that 
class of persons will be entered at the custom house, and arrange¬ 
ment made with the collector for payment of duties on the whole 
cargo, subject to restitution (or freedom from duty) of such articles, 
or the value thereof, as may be sold to officers or soldiers. Said 
articles or value to be certified and sworn to, in a manner satisfac¬ 
tory to the collector, and in conformity with such regulations as he 
may adopt, under sanction of the commander or governor of Vera 
Cruz and dependencies. 

2. On^provisions 5 per cent, ad valorem. 

On wines, cider, ale, and porter, 15 per cent, ad valorem. 

On all other liquors 75 per cent, ad valorm. 

On raw cotton 4 cents per pound. 

All other articles of merchandize 10 per cent, ad valorem. 

3. Several foreign vessels having arrived and been under deten¬ 
tion, before the occupation, are admitted under the foregoing regu¬ 
lations; but henceforth all foreign vessels arriving will be held 
subject to such duties as said vessels or cargoes would be required 
to pay in any port of the United States, or to exhibit, before admis¬ 
sion, evidence of entry and payment of duties in the United States; 
but always subjected to the additional duty hereby imposed. 

The collector of the port will draw up and submit for approval 
port regulations, which, when approved, will be duly imposed. 

It is further decreed that foreign goods, in deposit in the United 
States, arriving at this port will be admitted by paying duties as 
per tariff of the United States, the same arriving at this port in 
American bottoms. 

The foregoing regulations to be in force until otherwise directed 
by the governor for the time being, or the orders of the govern¬ 
ment of the United States. 

W. J. WORTH, Governor , 

Brevet Major General Commanding. 
WM. J. McCLUNG, 

Commander U. S. Navy. 


122 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Orders, ) Head-quarters, 

No. 1. ) Vera Cruz , March 29, 1847. 

In obedience to the order of the general-in-chief, Major General 
Worth enters upon the duties of commanding officer and governor 
of Vera Cruz and San Juan de Ulloa. 

By order of Major General Worth, governor and commanding 
officer. 

W. W. MACKALL, 

Acting Adjutant General. 


As the sole civil authority of the city, I announce to its inhabi¬ 
tants that the actual governor has addressed to me the following 
order: 

Orders, ) Head-quarters, 

No. 3. ^ Vera Cruz , March 30} 1847. 

1. The alcalde will forthwith cause all citizens of Yera Cruz, 
other than such as may receive special authority, to deliver up their 
arms into his custody, reports of the same to be made to these 
head-quarters. 

2. The alcalde will cause every u pulperias” to be forthwith 
closed, and none hereafter opened, except under special license. 
And none to be opened after 6 o’clock, p. m., when licensed. 

3. The alcalde will require every citizen to apply for a letter of 
domicil, showing his occupation. 

That the foregoing may be better carried into effect, the first offi¬ 
cer of this corporation will receive into the public warehouses all 
the arms referred to in article first. 

From the secretary of the corporation will be obtained such 
licenses as are referred to in article second. 

From the same officer will be obtained the letters of domicil re¬ 
ferred to in article third. 

The office of the secretary will be opened daily from ten in the 
morning until two in the afternoon, and any person neglecting to 
comply with the provisions of these articles will be liable to such 
punishment as may be awarded to his disobedience. 

4. The Mexican laws, as between Mexicans, will be continued 
in force, and justice administered by the regular Mexican tri¬ 
bunals. 

5. In all cases arising between American citizens of the army, or 
the authorized followers of the same, a military commission will be 
appointed to investigate the case. 

6. All Mexicans will be allowed to enter and leave the city freely 
between reveille and retreat. 

• 7. Soldiers on pass can enter the city by the gates of Mercy and 

Mexico, and at no other point, between the hours of 10, a. m., and 
6, p. m.; at the latter hour all soldiers, not on duty with the guards, 
will retire from the city. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


123 


8. Mr. F. M. Diamond is appointed collector of the port of Yera 
Cruz. Mr. Diamond will receive special instructions in respect to 
his duties. 

9. The following regulations will be observed by the collector 
in respect to army sutlers, &c. All soldiers’ and officers’ necessa¬ 
ries, (a list of which will be hereafter furnished,) are to be free of 
duties; all goods of general merchandise are to be subjected to the 
same duties as are imposed upon other merchants; the tariff of du¬ 
ties to be immediately arranged. 

10. The collector will make to this office, weekly, a detailed ac¬ 
count of receipts, and pay out no moneys collected without the 
written approval and sanction of the governor and commanding 
general. 

11. The collector will execute a bond in the usual form iff the 
sum and security of one thousand dollars. 

By order of Major General Worth, governor and commanding 
general. 

W. W. MACKALL, 

Acting Adjutant General. 


Orders, ) Head-quarters, 

No. 4. J Vera Cruz , March 31, 1847. 

1. All persons, whether neutrals or natives, who received in de- 
posite public property, such as munitions of war, tobacco, &c., 
during the siege, or since the occupation of Yera Cruz, and its de¬ 
pendencies, will forthwith deliver the same to the custody of the 
following officers appointed for that purpose, to wit: Lieutenant 
Colonels Childs and Duncan. 

2. C. Markoe is appointed notary public, and invested with all 
the pow r ers and authority attached to that officer under the laws of 
Louisiana and the Mexican laws. 

3. Felix Peters is appointed inspector of revenue with all the 
powers and authority attached to that office under the laws of the 
United States. 

By order of Major General Worth, governor and commanding 
officer. 

W. W. MACKALL, 

Acting Adjutant General. 


Orders, ) Head-quarters, 

No. 5. ) Vera Cruz , April 1 , 1847. 

1. Senor Ramer P. Yela, finding it necessary to leave the city to 
attend to his private affairs, desires to relinquish the office of al¬ 
calde, in which capacity he ceases to act from this date. 

2. Lieutenant Colonel Holzinger is hereby named and appointed 





124 Ex. Doc. No, 56. 

alcalde, with all the honors which, by the Mexican laws, appertain 
to his office. 

3. Jonas N. Levy is appointed harbor master in connexion with 
the customs. 

By order of Major General Worth, governor and commanding 
officer. 

WM. W. MACKALL, A. A. G. 


Orders, ? Head-quarters, 

No. 6. 3 Vera Cruz , April 1, 1847. 

1. To prevent exactions which fall principally on people in mo¬ 
derate or indigent circumstances, after consultation with the civil 
authorities, the following tariff of prices for the necessaries and 
comforts of life is decreed and ordered: 


Bread, loaf of 12 ounces... 12^ cents. 

Beef.*. 124 


1 . 

2 . 

3. Mutton. 18| 

4. Venison'.. 12J 

5. Pork. 12£ 

6. Milk. 6J 


per pound. 
u 


per quartillo. 

2. Every exaction beyond the foregoing regulations will subject 
the offender to be debarred the privilege of vending, and to a fine 
of ten dollars for each offence. 

3. Army meat contractors are prohibited vending meat except as 
required under their contracts', and to officers and followers of the 
army of the United States. 

By order of Major General Worth, governor and commanding 
officer. , 

W. W. MACKALL, A. A . G. 


Orders, ? Head-quarters, 

No. 7. j Vera Cruz , April 1, 1847. 

1. Juan Bell and Mr. Gallis are authorised to keep fondas, with 
privilege to vend liquors to be used therein, for which privilege 
each is to pay into the city treasury monthly, in advance, fifty dol¬ 
lars. 

2. Senibrelo, Bonificio, and Harry Evans, are authorised to open 
cafes, without privilege of keeping or vending liquors, to pay ten 
dollars per month for said privilege. 

3. Any and every unauthorised person who shall be detected in 
keeping liquors for sale by retail, or vending the same, shall, be¬ 
side a forfeiture of stock, be subjected to a fine of two hundred 
dollars and imprisonment. 

By order of Major General Worth, governor and commanding 
officer. 

W. W. MACKALL, A. A. G. 










Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


125 


General Orders, ) Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. 101. $ Vera Cruz, April 9, 1847. 

1st. Before a military commission , convened at this place by 
general orders, Nos. 83, 88, and 90, head-quarters of the army, and 
of which Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, 1st Tennessee foot, is pres¬ 
ident, was tried —Isaac Kirk , a free man of color, a resident of the 
United States of America, charged as follows: 

Charge IsL— Rape. 

Specification .—In this, that the said Isaac Kirk , colored man and 
a citizen of the United States, did commit, or attempt to commit, 
a rape on the person of' Maria Antonias Gallegas, a Mexican 
woman, on or about the 4th of April, A. D. 1847, on the road be¬ 
tween the ruins of Malibran and her residence, called u La 
Boticana,” (Mexico.) 

Charge 2d. — Theft. 

Specification .—In this, that the said Isaac Kirlc^ a colored man, 
and a citizen of the United States, did, on or about the 4th of April, 
A. D. 1847, steal from Maria Antonias Gallegas, the sum of ten 
dollars and a comb; this on the road between Malibran and her 
residence, called u La Boticana,” (Mexico.) 

To all which the accused pleaded not guilty. 

Sentence. 


The commission found the accused, Isaac Kirk, guilty as charged, 
and sentenced him—four-fifths of all the members present concur¬ 
ring therein—to be hanged by the neck until dead; and that such 
execution take place at such time and place as the general-in-chief 
may appoint, and may God have mercy on his soul. 

4th. The general-in-chief approves the proceedings and sentence 
in the case of Isaac Kirk. The sentence will be carried into ex¬ 
ecution at such hour to-morrow, and such place without the walls, 
as may be designated by the governor of the city, who is requested 
to cause this order to be executed, and also to cause public notice 
to be given of the same in the Spanish language. 

By command of Major General Scott. 

H. L. SCOTT, A. A. General. 


Official. 


W. W. MACKALL, A. A. General. 


126 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


/ 


Orders, ? Head-quarters, 

No. 6. ) Vera Cruz , April 9, 1847. 

The sentence awarded in the case of Isaac Kirk , approved by 
the general commanding-in-chief the armies of the United States, 
will be carried into execution, at 5 o’clock, p. m., to-morrow, be¬ 
yond the city walls and west of the road leading from the gate de 
Merced. 

By order of Major General Worth, governor and commanding 
general. 

W. W. MACKALL, A. A . General. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Vera Cruz , April 9, 1847. 

Sir: I send you a paper giving information which, I think, may 
be confided in to some extent. 

If you are, contrary to my hopes, unable, from bad health, to 
proceed with your marching division, send these papers forward to 
Brigadier General Twiggs, to be shown, in passing, to Brigadier 
General Pillow. 

If the former should ask for reinforcements from your division, 
you or Brigadier General Pillow will please hasten forward the 
field battery of Captain Wall, (the 12-pounder battery,) together 
with the squadron of cavalry with the same division, and follow 
without delay with your infantry. 

Should I receive information from you, Brigadier General Pil¬ 
low, or Brigadier General Twiggs in front, confirming that I now 

communicate, I shall immediately proceed to the front of our ad¬ 
vancing forces. 

If you are detained, or likely to be detained, I need not say that 
your written instructions from me should be immediately transfer¬ 
red to Brigadier General Pillow. 

Please send me word, orally, what is the state of your personal 
health, and let this note and the accompanying papers go forward, 
as above, without delay. 

With great respect, &c., &c., 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Maj. Gen. Patterson, 

United States army , #c., &c. 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


127 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Vera Cruz , April 11, 1847. ' 

Major General Scott , general-in-chief of the armies of the United 

States of America: 

To THE GOOD PEOPLE OF MEXICO. 

PROCLAMATION. 

Mexicans! At the head of a powerful army, soon to be doubled, 
a part of which is advancing upon your capital, and with another 
army under Major General Taylor, in march from Saltillo to¬ 
wards San Luis de Potosi, I think myself called upon to address 
you. 

Mexicans! Americans are not your enemies, but the enemies, for 
a time, of the men who, a year ago, misgoverned you, and brought 
about this unnatural war between two great republics. We are the 
friends of the peaceful inhabitants of the country we occupy, and 
the friends of your holy religion, its hierarchy^ and its priesthood. 
The same church is found in all parts of our own country, crowded 
with devout Catholics, and respected by our government, L.ws, and 
people. 

For the church of Mexico, the unoffending inhabitants of the 
country, and their property, I have, from the first, done everything 
in my power to place them under the safe guard of martial law : 
against the few bad men in this army. 

My orders to that effect, known to all, are precise and rigorous. 
Under them, several Americans have already been punished, by 
fine, for the benefit of Mexicans, besides imprisonment; and one, 
for a rape, has been hung by the neck. 

Is this not a proof of good faith and energetic discipline? 
Other proofs shall be given as often as injuries to Mexicans may 
be detected. 

On the other hand, injuries committed by individuals, or parties 
of Mexico, not belonging to the public forces, upon individuals, 
small parties, trains of wagons and teams, or of pack mules, or 
on any other person or property belonging to this army, contrary 
to the laws of war, shall be punished with rigor; or, if the partic¬ 
ular offenders be not delivered up by the Mexican authorities, the 
punishment shall fall upon entire cities, towns, or neighbor¬ 
hoods. 

Let, then, all good Mexicans remain at home, or at their peace¬ 
ful occupations; but they are invited to bring in for sale, horses, 
mules, beef, cattle, corn, barley, wheat, flour for bread, and veget¬ 
ables. Cash will be paid for everything this army may take or pur¬ 
chase, and protection will be given to all sellers. The Americans 
are.strong enough to offer these assurances, wx.ich, should Mexicans 
wisely accept, this war may soon be happily ended, to the honor 
and advantage of both belligerents. Then the Americans, having 
converted enemies into friends, will be happy to take leave of Mex¬ 
ico, and return to their own country. 


WINFIELD SCOTT. 


128 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

Statement of Nicholas Dorich , an agent of Colonel Kinney , viz: 

u Nicholas Dorich states, that when General Twiggs passed 
through Boca Potraza, he did not permit him (Dorich) to be mo¬ 
lested, and that his division was furnished with beef, cattle, &c.; 
but, when General Patterson’s division came along, the volunteers 
entered his house with an axe, cut down his doors, and he showed 
them that he was a Spaniard, and had a Spanish security; the sol¬ 
diers tore it up; and a captain came in to prevent him from being 
hurt, and the soldiers struck the captain and knocked him down, 
and then attacked him, (Nicholas Dfirich,) and hurt him in the face, 
arm, and leg. Then the American officer told him that he could 
not protect him; that, as he saw the men were very bad, he (Nich¬ 
olas) then ran away to the woods, and they (the soldiers) overtook 
him and stripped him of all his clothes. That same evening he 
came across some of our men who, finding him naked and scratch¬ 
ed, gave him a pair of shoes and a shirt. 

“ General Patterson was furnished, by the officers who witnessed 
these things, with a certificate of the treatment he had received; 
of the fact that he had been robbed; also, the certificate gave the 
companies to which the men belonged, and he thinks, their names. 
They took from him about $500 in American gold and silver, which 
had been paid to him by Colonel Kinney and Mr. Dawley tor mules 
and cattle. When he called on General Patterson, he was sick, 
but he told him not to be concerned, that he would be reim¬ 
bursed. 

“In•consequence of this, (the outrage,) the people have lost the 
confidence they had previously, and have gone into the woods. 

“They destroyed everything, even his well, though he had sup¬ 
plied them with water and every thing they wanted. They took off six 
mules, too, and six asses. He gave one man a horse, saddle, and bridle, 
because he had prevented the others from killing him. After he 
got into the woods, they shot at him twice. One soldier , for try¬ 
ing to protect our lives and property, was wounded with a bayonet. 
Another died,fiom what cause I don’t know, as I was in the woods. 
I had gathered up some three hundred horses, mules, and cattle, 
for the army, but owing to this disturbance, I turned them loose, 
as did another man who was collecting for the same purpose. He 
thinks these men belonged to the New York regiment, but does not 
know. As the general (Twiggs) passed his house, he (the general) 
ordered him not to sell liquor. When these men came up, they 
asked tor whiskey; he told them he had none; they threatened to 
kill him unless he gave them some. He says the whole road 
is lined with volunteers, in parties of 4, 5, and 6. Although 
the officers came up after the first outrage, they told him that 
the men knew he had liquor, and that they could do nothing with 
them, and told him to let them have liquor, which he did. The 
officers took it out. Then this party went away, and the following 
destroyed everything.” 

The above named Nicholas Dorich was employed by me to fur¬ 
nish supplies for the use of the United States army, which he has 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 129 

done, together with Don Manuel Garcia, to [a] considerable extent, 
and I believe his statement true. 

H. L. KINNEY. 


General Orders, ) Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. 103. £ Vera Cruz , April 10, 1847. 

Pending the possession of any port of the republic of Mexico, 
by the forces of the United States of America, not an ounce of gold 
or silver shall be shipped from the same, without a regular clear¬ 
ance from its collector, who will charge, for the benefit of the 
United States treasury, an export duty of six per centum upon 
every such clearance and shipment. 

By command of Major General Scott, 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 


General Orders, ) Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. 108. I Vera Cruz , April 12, 1847. 

General orders, No. 103, of the 10th instant, respecting the ship¬ 
ment of gold and silver, is suspended, and will so remain suspended, 
as long as the drafts of the chief disbursing officers with this 
army, on the principal cities of the United States, at short sight 
(say from three to five days) can be cashed at par. 

The present chief disbursing officers, alluded to above, are Cap¬ 
tain J. R. Irwin, quartermaster, Captain J. B. Grayson, commissary, 
and Major E. Kirby, paymaster. 

By command of Major General Scott. 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 


National Bridge, April 11, 1847. 

Sir: I have received General Scott’s letter to General Patter¬ 
son, of the 9th instant. I cannot determine what Santa Anna’s 
force is, nor could I be certain he was at Jalapa, or the vicinity, 
until yesterday evening. His force is variously stated from two to 
thirteen thousand; all the information, of course, from Mexicans, 
and not to be relied on. One thing seems to be certain, that the 
pass between this and Jalapa will be disputed. I have no doubt 
but I shall reach the latter place with my command. The weather 
has been so very warm that it is difficult to get the men on. Sev¬ 
enty-five was absent yesterday afternoon at inspection; many come 
up during the night. I shall reach “Plan del Rio,” this evening, 
where the advance of the Mexicans are posted. All, or nearly all, 
of the inhabitants have left their homes, which to me is the 
strongest proof that they think a fight is near at hand. Captain 
9 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


130 

Johnson, topographical engineers, who has been in the advance, 
and questioned most of the Mexicans, thinks Santa Anna’s force 
cannot exceed four thousand. To-morrow (the 12th) we shall be 
able to state with more certainty the position of the Mexicans. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

D. E. TWIGGS, 
Brigadier General U. S. Army. 

Captain H. L. Scott, 

Adjutant General , U. S. Army. 


General: I have, from three different Mexicans, who had not 
seen each other, information of the pass being in possession of the 
enemy in some force. The only question is as to his forces. I do 
not believe he is as strong as your information represented. But 
that there are troops under arms, and in possession of the pass, 
cannot be doubted. My information states that General Langardo 
compelled one thousand of the troops, embraced in the capitula¬ 
tion at Yera Cruz, to take up arms. 

Respectfully, 

GID. J. PILLOW, 

Brigadier General U. S. Army. 


War Department, 
Washington , April 14, 1847. 

Sir: The President has commissioned Brigadier Generals Pil¬ 
low and Quitman, Major Generals, and they have been ordered to 
report to you for duty. It is the expectation of the President that 
they will be assigned to duty with the column of the army in 
Mexico under your immediate command. 

I have the honor- to be, with great respect, your obedient ser¬ 
vant. • 


Major General Scott, 

Commanding , fyc. 


W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 


[Confidential.] 


War Department, 
Washington , April 14, 1847. 

Sir: The signal successes which have attended our military 
operations since the commencement of the present war, would 
seem to justify the expectation that Mexico will be disposed to 
offer fair terms of accommodation. With a view to a result so 
desirable, the President has commissioned Nicholas P. Trist, esq., 







Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


131 


of the State Department, to proceed to your head-quarters or to 
the squadron, as to him may seem most convenient, and be in readi¬ 
ness to receive any proposal which the enemy may see fit to make 
for the restoration of peace. 

Mr. Trist is clothed with such diplomatic powers as will au¬ 
thorize him to enter into arrangements with the government of 
Mexico for the suspension of hostilities. Should he make known 
to you, in writing, that the contingency has occurred, in conse¬ 
quence of which the President is willing that further active mili¬ 
tary operations should cease, you will regard such notice as a 
direction from the President to suspend them until further orders 
from this department, unless continued or recommenced by the 
enemy; but in so doing, you will not retire from any place you 
may occupy, or abstain from any change of position which you 
may deem necessary to the health or safety of the troops under 
your command, unless, on consultation with Mr. Trist, a change in 
the position of your forces should be deemed necessary to the suc¬ 
cess of the negotiations for peace. Until hostilities, as herein pro¬ 
posed, shall be intermitted, you will continue to carry on your 
operations with energy, and push your advantages as far as your 
means will enable you to do. 

Mr. Trist is also the bearer of a despatch to the secretary of for¬ 
eign affair^ of the government of Mexico, in reply to one addressed 
to the Secretary of State here. You will transmit that despatch to 
the commander of the Mexican forces, with a request that it may 
be laid before his government, at the same time giving information 
that Mr. Trist, an officer from our department for foreign affairs, 
next in rank to its chief, is at your head-quarters or on board the 
squadron, as the case may be. 

You will afford Mr. Trist all the accommodation and facilities in 
your power to enable him to accomplish the objects of his mis¬ 
sion. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 

Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

ConuPg the army of the U. Mexico. 

P. S. Should a suspension of hostilities take place, you will 
lose no time in communicating the fact to Major General Taylor. 


War Department, May 14, 1847. 

Sir: It affords me pleasure to be the medium of communicating 
to you, and through you, to the army under your command, the ac¬ 
companying preamble and resolutions adopted by the common 
council of the city of New York, unanimously expressing their ap¬ 
preciation of the skill and valor of the officers and men, as therein 
named in said resolutions. 


132 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

A copy of these resolutions has been transmitted to Major Gen¬ 
eral Taylor. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. Army , Mexico. 


War Department, May 17, 1847. 

Sir: I am directed by the President to call your attention to the 
seventeenth section of the act of Congress entitled u An act to 
make provision for an additional number of general officers and for 
other purposes,” passed on the 3d of March last, and to request 
you to take proper measures to enable him to bestow upon merito¬ 
rious non-commissioned officers and privates in the army, who have 
distinguished themselves, the benefits of its provisions. 

He is very desirous that all those who have earned the reward it 
confers, by their gallant conduct, should receive it without delay. 
It is conceived that the provisions of the seventeenth section are 
general; that is, they extend to non-commissioned officers and pri¬ 
vates in the volunteer ranks, as well as those in the regiments con¬ 
stituting the regular establishment. 

To entitle a non-commissioned officer, who has distinguished him¬ 
self, to a brevet, he must be recommended by the commanding 
officer of the regiment to which he belongs. It will, therefore, be 
proper that you should apprise the commanding officers of the sev¬ 
eral regiments in the army under your command of this provision 
of the law, and the expectation of the President that they should 
furnish recommendations of those non-commissioned officers who 
have earned for themselves the advancement which Congress has 
provided. 

The means by which the President is to acquire the information 
to satisfy him that privates have so conducted themselves as to be 
entitled to certificates, is not indicated in the act of Congress. 
You ure therefore directed by the President, through the report of 
their immediate commanding officers, or in such other manner as 
you may think proper, to cause to be presented to the President a 
list of those privates in the army under your command who are 
deemed to be entitled to the benefit of the seventeenth section of 
the act above referred to. 

Mere general good deportment, and a faithful discharge of ordi¬ 
nary duties, will not alone, in the opinion of the department, en¬ 
title either a non-commissioned officer or a private to the benefit of 
the law, for so much is expected of all in the service. Such con¬ 
duct does not constitute a distinction. It is desired, so far as it 
can be practicably done, that the recommendation or report in each 
case should specify the conduct or acts of the soldier which are 
considered as entitling him to the reward of distinction. 

I herewith send you a sufficient number of copies of the section 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


133 


of the act of Congress to which I have called your attention, to 
enable you to furnish one to each commandant of a regiment and 
other officers from whom information can be derived, which will be 
serviceable to the President in the discharge of the pleasing duty 
of dispensing rewards to the well deserving. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. Army , Mexico. 

N. B. A similar letter has been sent to Major General Taylor, 
with copies of the section of the law above referred to. 


War Department, May 19, 1847. 

Sir: I have received your despatch of the 19th ultimo, announc¬ 
ing your signal success over the enemy at Cerro Gordo, and also 
that of the 23d of the same month, with the accompanying reports 
of those in subordinate command, giving a detail of the operations 
of your army at that place. 

It is a pleasing duty to be again, and so soon, the medium of 
making known to you and to the brave officers and soldiers under 
your command, the President’s high appreciation of the skill and 
prowess by which so decisive a victory was won, and our arms 
again crowned with superadded glory. The carrying of positions, 
so strong by nature and strengthened by art, and defended by far 
superior numbers, followed, as it was, by an almost total rout of a 
large army, is an achievement seldom equalled in the records of 
military operations. It has called forth the praise and excited the 
admiration of a grateful people, and will stand conspicuous on the 
pages of our history. 

While rejoicing at this signal triumph of our arms, the nation is 
not unmindful of what is due to the memory of the gallant men 
who fell at Cerro Gordo. It mourns their fate, sympathises with 
their afflicted families and friends, and will ever cherish a lively 
recollection of their devoted service and heroic deeds. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 


Major General Winfield Scott, 

Comdg. U. S. Army , Mexico. 




134 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


No. 25. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa , April 28, 1847. 

Sir: My present efforts, with very insufficient trains, are to get 
up to this place, from Yera Cruz, while we may, say in the next 
two weeks, as many essential supplies as practicable—such as 
clothing, ammunition, medicines, salt, &c., &c. Breadstuffs, beef, 
mutton, sugar, coffee, rice, beans, and forage we may hope to find, 
though not in convenient places or in great abundance, on our line 
of operations. For these w^e must pay or they will be withheld, 
concealed, or destroyed by the owners, whose national hatred of 
us remains unabated. I shall continue to do all in my power to 
conquer that hatred, but cannot as yet promise myself success; and 
if I cannot enforce the utmost economy in the use of such supplies, 
by causing them to be collected and regularly issued by the pro¬ 
per departments of the staff, we shall further exasperate and ruin 
the country, and starve ourselves. A rigid discipline, exact obedi¬ 
ence to orders, is then the first and great want of this army. Of 
valor and patriotism there is no deficiency. 

The first fifty miles this side of Yera Cruz, up to Cerro Gordo, 
with the exception perhaps of one locality, are as deadly to stran¬ 
gers as any part of the coast from the beginning to the end of the 
rainy season. That season may commence in May, but certainly, 
if not earlier, the first week in June. 

Now, independent of the superabundant cautions given me in 
your letter of March 13th, about the health and lives of the troops, 
I beg to say, that I am mys&lf too careful of human life, the lives 
of all the troops of this army, regulars as well as volunteers, to 
risk garrisons along those fifty miles of road during that season. 
To be of any service, at least four posts would be necessary, and 
those would not dispense with the necessity of escorts to trains as 
at present, to guard them against rancheros and other irregular 
troops of the enemy, who are well acquainted with the country and 
natives of the climate. But I did expect, up to yesterday, that 
detachments of the new regiments would, as you had informed me, 
begin to arrive in this month and continue to follow, perhaps, into 
June. Accordingly, I had made arrangements to place a new train 
at Yera Cruz, under each successive detachment of those troops, 
to follow me, in addition to the old trains sent back to that depot. 
Probably the last of these old trains will go down under a strong 
escort, to-morrow; and yesterday I learned, by your letter of the 
22 d, and the adjutant general’s of the 26th ult., that all the recruits 
of the regiments—some 3,000, raised or likely to be raised, in time for 
this army—have been ordered to the Bio Grande. Therefore the 
last supplies that I may expect from Yera Cruz, I know not in 
what time, must come up by the train that I am to despatch to¬ 
morrow. But I have caused instructions (copy herewith) to be 
sent to Brigadier General Cadwalader, requesting that at least a 
part of the new troops, according to the state of the Rio Grande 
base of operations, might be sent to this army, via Yera Cruz. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


135 


The distance is great, and I have no certain intelligence from Ma¬ 
jor General Taylor, later than his victory at Buena Vista, save 
that he had cleared his rear of the enemy, and the general belief at 
this place, which I begin to doubt, that he has reached San Luis 
de Potosi. I have sent an emissary to communicate with him, 
wherever he may be; but if not at or on this side of th^t city, I 
may not hear from him in many weeks. I may add that it is the 
universal opinion of well informed persons in this country, that 
troops may land at Vera Cruz, and by marching promptly, reach 
this healthy region, with little or no loss from disease, as late as 
sometime in June; whereas, even Mexicans, of the upper country, 
would suffer greatly in a week, by a visit to the tierra caliente. 
Here the weather is uncomfortably cool and requiring winter cloth¬ 
ing, at the end of April; twenty-five miles below, the heat, except 
in the northers, is distressing early in March. Unfortunately, very 
many of our men, regulars as well as volunteers, have lost both 
great coats and blankets, and the volunteers are otherwise badly 
clad. How many of the latter will re-engage under the act ap¬ 
proved March 3d, only received two days ago, I know not; proba¬ 
bly but few. Hence the greater my disappointment, caused by 
sending the new troops to the Rio Grande; for, besides their keep¬ 
ing the road in our present rear, open for many weeks, by marches, 
in successive detachments, I had intended, as I advanced, to leave 
strong garrisons in this place, in Perote, and Puebla, and to keep, 
at the head of the movement, a force equal to any probable oppo¬ 
sition. It may now depend on the number of old volunteers who 
may re-engage, and the number of new troops that may arrive 
from the Brasses in time, as also, in some degree, upon the advance 
of Major General Taylor, whether I shall find this army in strength 
to leave the garrisons and to occupy the capital. In the mean 
time Brevet Major General Worth has advanced a brigade some 
fifteen miles beyond Perote, to enlarge his sphere of supplies, and 
I shall put the other two divisions in march in order to be able to 
occupy Puebla, as soon as the two trains, sent back to Vera Cruz 
six and seven days ago, shall have returned. 

On receiving the news of the disasters at Cerro Gordo, the Mexi¬ 
can Congress immediately passed a series of resolutions, (of which 
I send an indifferent translation,) breathing defiane'e and war to the 
last extremity. It will be seen that General Santa Anna is virtu¬ 
ally deprived of the presidency. He is at present at Cordova or 
Orizaba, endeavoring to create a new army of irregulars; but with¬ 
out arms, magazines, or a military chest. Other generals are also 
endeavoring to prepare for a guerrilla war upon our detachments, 
trains and stragglers, and they may, without great precautions on 
our part, do much harm in the aggregate. 

Notwithstanding the violence of the congress, I know by private 
advices, that there is a large party of moderate men, in the capital 
and elsewhere, in favor of negotiations and peace. I have also 
reason to believe that the British minister has again tendered the 
mediation of his government, which the congress has taken into 
consideration. After the first effervescence of rage shall have ex- 



136 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


pired, and we shall have approached nearer to the capital, perhaps 
the counsels of prudence may prevail with the people and the 
government. 

I send, through the quartermaster’s department, the Mexican col¬ 
ors taken by Major General Worth at Perote, in all, standards and 
guidons, fourteen, which added to seven taken at Cerro Gordo and 
at Vera Cruz, may make about twenty-five captured at the several 
places. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

„ Jalapa , April 23d, 1847. 

Sir: We already occupy Perote, and shall soon occupy Puebla. 
Indeed, we might safely take possession of Mexico, without a loss 
perhaps, of one hundred men. Our dangers and difficulties are all 
in the rear—between this place and Vera Cruz:—1st. The season of 
the year, heat—and below Cerro Gordo, sand and disease:—2nd. 
An impossibility (almost,) of establishing any intermediate post— 
say at the National Bridge—or any other point, on account of dis¬ 
ease, and the want of sufficient supplies within easy reach:—-3d. 
The danger of having our trains cut and destroyed by the exaspe¬ 
rated rancheros, whose houses are thinly scattered over a wide sur¬ 
face, and whom it is almost impossible, with our small cavalry 
force, to pursue and to punish:—and 4th. The consequent necessity 
of escorting trains seventy odd miles up, and the same down, with a 
meagre cavalry that must from day to day become, from that in¬ 
tolerable service, more and more meagre. 

I have stated the situation of this advanced army, strongly, to 
show how infinitely important it is, that we should, as speedily as 
possible, while the season may permit us, get up to this healthy 
region, all essential supplies. Those supplies fall within the ord¬ 
nance, quartermaster’s, commissary, and medical departments. The 
chief of each with me, has been instructed to write to the proper 
chief at Yera Cruz accordingly, and I desire you to give a rigid 
attention to those requisitions, and make yourself sure that, as fast 
and as far as practicable, they are complied with. I put down, 
myself, in this place, the supplies which I hold to be indispensa¬ 
ble, leaving the amount of each article to the respective chiefs 
here and at Yera Cruz, viz: medicines and hospital stores, clothing 
for troops, salt, ammunition, shoes for animals, and coffee ; arti¬ 
cles only a little ^inferior in importance are, knapsacks, blankets, 
hard bread, bacon, and camp kettles; sugar, flour, rice, fresh meat, 
beans, and forage, w^e hope to find in the country. The above lists 
of indispensable articles, and of articles almost equally so, may 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 137 


not be complete, but it is nearly so. See the requisitions which 
will be sent from this place. 

The new troops raised for the war, and recruits for old regi¬ 
ments, will arrive after a short time, at Vera Cruz, almost daily. 
If the city should become sickly, that is, should an epidemic pre¬ 
vail, you will detain on board the transports all detachments, until 
the means of transportation can be found for each, so that it may 
pass rapidly through or around the city, and be as little exposed 
as possible to infection. If the railroad can be put into operation, it 
will be an immense gain in saving the loaded wagons the necessity 
of dragging heavily up the sand hills towards Santa Fe. Give a 
prompt attention to this saving, and possibly, in the case of the 
vomito , supplies and troops may be advantageously landed by means 
of surf boats, north of the city, and thence proceed to join the army. 

It is propable that I may establish a small post at Passo de 
Obejas, some six miles nearer to you than the National Bridge. 
There are many buildings at this point, said to be the least un¬ 
healthy below Cerro Gordo, where there is no shelter and few or 
no supplies of any kind within a reasonable distance. At the Passo 
de Obejas are bridges, good water, some grain, and beef cattle. 
If these be carefully used and not wasted, they will save a great 
deal of wagoning from Vera Cruz. The post will be within your 
command and require your strictest instructions. I have sent down, 
by a train, seven colors and standards, which I desire you to have 
carefully boxed up and forwarded to the adjutant general. An¬ 
other train, that will pass Cerro Gordo to-day, will take down six 
of the forty-three captured guns from that place. Add the twelve 
pieces selected by Captain Huger, (inquire of Captain Daniels,) 
from the defences of the city, and send the eighteen to New York, 
direct, or via New Orleans. On the subject of trophies, give my 
compliments to Commodore Perry, and beg him to select and ship 
for home, six guns from the Castle of San Juan d’Ulloa. I may 
send the remaining guns from Cerro Gordo, but wish no more to 
be taken^ as trophies from Vera Cruz and its castle. 

Lose no opportunity of sending the mails of the army, particu¬ 
larly letters addressed to general head-quarters. 

Having not a moment to copy, please send this letter to the ad¬ 
jutant general for the Secretary of War. 

With great respect, yours truly, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


To Brevet Colonel Wilson, 

Commander and Governor of Vera Cruz. 


P. S. The general-in-chief desires me to add, that the wagons, 
eight in number, which Captain Hetzel was desired to appropriate 
to the transportation of engineers’ tools, must not be diverted from 
that use. 

Very respectfully, 

H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. G. 


138 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa , April 23, 1847. 

Sir : I have received your very interesting report, dated yester¬ 
day, informing me that you had occupied Perote, and giving a list 
of the ordnance found in the castle. 

This army cannot advance until we are assured of the receipt of 
important supplies from Vera Cruz—clothing, ammunition, salt, 
medicines, hospital stores, &c., &c. The remaining section of the 
seige train has arrived. 

As soon as you can assure me that your means of subsistence 
derived from the country, are secured, I shall order Twiggs’ divi¬ 
sion to replace you at Perote, and allow your division to advance 
to Puebla, with the seize train that I shall send forward as soon as 
the draught animals are a little refreshed here. Some salt I hope 
also to send you. The remainder of your subsistence, and all your 
forage, you w T ill have to gather from the country. Forage is very 
scarce here as well as subsistence. 

One train of wagons was despatched, and another to-day, to Yera 
Cruz. Brigadier General Quitman’s brigade, and 240 of the Ten¬ 
nessee horse came up to-day without an extra ration, against my 
positive orders, given at Yera Cruz. This neglect cannot fail to 
exhaust our supplies here rapidly. 

I am organizing measures for protecting our line of communica¬ 
tion with Yera Cruz. There is but one point for a garrison, not 
deadly sickly in the whole line, Passo de Obejo, six miles the other 
side of the National Bridge. 

I have time to say no more. 

Yours, &c., 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Brevet Major General Worth, &c., &c. 


Jalapa, April 24, 1847. 

Sir : I am wishing to communicate with you and in the smallest 
space. I hear with joy that you are at S. Luis de Potosi, and, per¬ 
haps, in full march near the capital. May continued success attend 
you ! This army has added something to the glory obtained by 
yours. General orders, No. 80, I hope to send with this note. 
Delayed at Yera Cruz, by the want of transportation, we began to 
advance the 8th instant, and obtained, the 18th, at the Pass of 
Cerro Gordo, (21 miles below,) a signal victory—3,000 prisoners, 
and twice as many small arms, 43 pieces of artillery, 7 colors, 
5 generals, (besides one killed,) ammunition, &c., &c. Santa 
Anna, Canalizo, Ampudia, &c., &c., escaped. The pursuit was 
vigorous. Some stores were taken here; some abandoned artillery, 
at La Hoya, a terrible pass, some ten miles ahead ; and at Perote, 
66 pieces, ammunition, &c., &c. Mexico has no longer an army, 
the foot is nearly dissolved, or certainly much dispersed, and, per- 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


139 


haps, there are not 15 guns in Mexico and on this side. Our ad¬ 
vance is in the castle of Perote; thence to the capital hardly a show 
of resistance is to be expected. Yet, we cannot, at once, advance 
in force. We are obliged to look to the rear. The yellow fever 
at Vera Cruz, and on the road, fifty miles this way, may soon cut 
us off from our depot. Deep sand, disease, and bands of exas¬ 
perated rancheros, constitute difficulties. With an inadequate train 
we are endeavoring to get here, essentials , before heat and disease 
cut us off from Yera Cruz. Our cavalry is already meagre, and 
from escorting, becoming daily more so. Worth, however, will 
march from Perote upon Puebla in a day or two, to be replaced 
by Patterson or Twiggs; we shall follow, and be with the advance, 
as soon as the essentials are secured. Ammunition, medicines, 
clothing (all behind,) salt, &c., &c. A small seige train and half 
ammunition, are up. We must subsist on the country, paying for 
what is brought in, &c. I am much embarrassed with the old volun¬ 
teers, in reference to their return through the yellow fever, if late 
in May, or June; and I am wholly ignorant of the approach of the 
new regiments lately authorized. The discharge of the former, de¬ 
pends on the approach of the latter, and the movements of each 
may be arrested by the vomito. Yet depots, along a line of 275 
miles, will be needed, and a competent fighting force at the head of 
operations. When I may advance beyond Puebla, is, therefore, 
yet doubtful. I shall feel my way according to information. The 
resources of the country are not abundant, or not near the road, 
except to a limited extent. If I were sure that you were at San 
Luis de Potosi, and in a condition to advance, I should see my way 
rather better. I do not mean in respect to fighting dangers; for I 
doubt whether we (or either of us,) will have another seige or 
battle; but in respect to overtures for a peace , or an armistice. As 
yet, no such overture has been heard of. An armistice, if strictly 
observed by the enemy, would give security to our lines of com¬ 
munication with main depots, but still liable to be cut off from the 
principal and nearer one (Yera Cruz,) by yellow fever there, and 
for fifty miles this side. Within that distance, I doubt whether I 
can hazard a depot or garrison. I suppose that your occupation of 
San Luis de Potosi, and advance upon the capital, might increase 
the chances of a peace or an armistice; but many intelligent per¬ 
sons believe that to occupy the capital and fifty other important 
points would not end the war, and that the enemy, without an 
army, would still hold out and operate against our trains, small 
parties and stragglers, with rancheros on the guerrilla plan. Let 
me hear from you by the return of the bearer, and by others, as 
you may. I am only allowed this small piece of paper, to be con¬ 
cealed. 

Most truly yours, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To Major General Taylor. 



140 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa : April 25, 1847. 

Sir: I have the instructions of the general-in-chief to say, that 
you will please embark such detachments of the new regiments as 
may have been ordered by the War Department to Point Isabel, as 
rapidly as they arrive, with instructions for them to proceed to 
Yera Cruz, and thence join yie general head-quarters of the army 
in Mexico, where they are much needed. 

It is important, to prevent delay, to forward from the Brassos all 
available means of land transportation for the march from Yera 
Cruz; and you will please make a call on the quartermaster at the 
Brassos accordingly. 

This order for the troops you will consider conditional on the 
safety of the line of the Rio Grande, concerning which little doubt 
is entertained by the general-in-chief since the victory of Buena 
Vista. He relies, however, upon your own sound judgment to de¬ 
termine, on the spot, whether that line would be too much exposed 
by the withdrawal of the troops in question. You will please 
therefore consider yourself authorized to order the whole or such 
part as may appear to you most suitable. 

If those troops be divided, you will command the larger body, 
whether it should come to Yera Cruz or remain upon the line of the 
Rio Grande. 

Whatever may be your determination in respect to other troops, 
you will please at once order Ruff’s company of the mounted rifles, 
with horses, to join its regiment via Yera Cruz. 

Should the line of the Rio Grande appear entirely secure, you 
will please stop any further landing of troops at the Brassos, or, if 
possible, anticipate their sailing thither from New Orleans, to 
direct them as they successively arrive, at either place, to proceed 
to Yera Cruz, and thence join the head-quarters of the army. 

No doubt is entertained that the health of such troops may be 
preserved by the troops being kept on ship-board, in the harbor of 
Yera Cruz ; until the requisite means of transportation are in 
readiness for them to commence their march towards Jalapa and 
beyond. 

We have information here, which is credited, that Major General 
Taylor has taken possession of San Luis Potosi without opposition. 

We have also Mexican papers of the 21st instant, from the 
capital, which breathe any thing but peace, while they deplore the 
total defeat, capture, and rout of the Mexican army, under Santa 
Anna, at Cerro Gordo, on the 18th instant. 

Santa Anna, after the battle, fled to Orizaba, and is now engaged 
in organizing guerilla parties, which policy the Mexicans have de¬ 
termined in future to adopt. The government, in anticipation of 
our advance upon the capital, is already concerting measures for 
making the government moveable; and, with additional troops to ref 
lieve the old volunteers whose term of service is about to expire, 
we cannot fail to afford the Mexican people such convincing proofs 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 141 

of the imbecility of their government, that every thinking man 
must become satisfied that peace must be had. 

I have the honor to be, &c. 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. G. 

Brigadier General Cadwalader, 

U. S. Army , Brass os Santiago. 


Extracts from El Monitor , published in the city of Mexico: 

PROCLAMATION. 

The citizen Mariana Salas, general of brigade and colonel of the 
regiment Hidalgo, to my fellow citizens: 

My friends: The present moment is the most proper to excite the 
public spirit and form a nation of men truly free. When an enemy 
triumphs by his union to rob us of our dearest interests, there is 
nothing more sure and more certain than to vanquish him by valor 
and constancy. 

For this end I have obtained permission to raise a guerilla corps, 
with which to attack and destroy the invaders, in every manner 
imaginable. The conduct of the enemy, contrary both to humanity 
and natural rights, authorizes us to pursue him without pity, 
(misericordia.) War without pity , unto death! will be the motto of 
the guerilla warfare of vengeance. Therefore I invite all my fellow 
citizens, especially my brave subordinates, to unite at general 
head-quarters to enrol themselves, from nine until three in the 
afternoon, so that it may be organized in the present week. 

JOSE MARIANA SALAS. 

Mexico, April 21, 1847. 


Congress and Government.. 

Mexico, April 21, 1847. 

Yesterday, at a public session, the ministry gave an account of 
the unfortunate events at Cerro Gordo; it showed that the govern¬ 
ment, not losing courage at the reverse, were already taking the 
most efficacious measures to oppose new forces to the invaders; it 
protested that his excellency the president was determined to die 
sooner than treat with the infamous ‘government of the United 
States, and, in order to act with the energy which circumstances 
required, it hoped that extraordinary powers*would be granted to 
it, demanding to be restricted in such manner as*to prevent it from 
making peace. Congress, at 10 in the evening, approved the fol¬ 
lowing law. 

C( The sovereign constitutional Congress of Mexico, in use of the 





142 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


full powers with which it has been invested by the people of the 
republic for the sacred object of preserving its nationality, and 
faithful interpreters of the firm determination of their constituents 
to carry on the war which the government of the United States is 
waging against the nation, without losing courage at any kind of 
reverses; and considering that, in these circumstances, the first 
public necessity is to preserve a centre of union, to direct the 
national defence, with all the energy which the state of things 
demand, and to avoid even the danger of a revolutionary power 
arising to dissolve the national union and destroy its institutions, 
or to consent to dismember its territory, has decreed the fol¬ 
lowing: 

Article 1. The supreme government of the union has power to 
take the necessary measures to carry on the war, defend the 
nationality of the republic, and to save the republican form of 
government, popular and federal, under which the nation is con¬ 
stituted. 

2. The foregoing article does not authorize the executive to make 
a peace with the United States, conclude negotiations with foreign 
powers, nor alienate the whole or a part of the territory of the 
republic. 

3. Neither does it give the executive powers to ratify treaties of 
colonization, impose punishments, nor confer other civil or military 
offices than those whose appointment is expressly allowed by the 
constitution. 

4 . Will be null and illegal, all treaties or arrangements that 
may be entered into between the United States and any authority 
who, subverting the'actual order of things, should substitute itself 
for the supreme powers of the union legally established. 

5. Every individual is declared a traitor, who, either as a private 
individual, or as a public officer, either privately, or invested with 
any incompetent authority, or of revolutionary origin, shall treat 
with the government of the United States. 

6 . In case the present Congress should find it impossible to con¬ 
tinue its sessions, a permanent commission will immediately be 
appointed, composed of the oldest individual of each deputation 
that may be present. 

7 . This commission, for want of the Congress, will perform the 
duties of the council of government; will name, in case of vacancy, 
the person to perform the duties, for the time being, of the execu¬ 
tive power of the republic; will take an account of the votes in 
the coming election for president; place the person named in 
power, and convene the national representation. 

8 . The powers which it confers upon the government, in the 
present decree, will cease as soon as the war comes to an end.” 

In honor of this legislative body, it must be said that eighty 
members were present, and that no sentiments were heard except 
those of patriotism. "May thus the common danger unite all Mexi¬ 
cans, and even the name of our fatal divisions disappear. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


143 


War Department, May 20, 1847. 

Sir: I have received your communication of the 28th ultimo, in 
relation to troops having been sent to the Brassos instead of your 
column. 

It is proper that I should refer to the state of things as they 
were here understood to exist in that quarter when General Cad- 
walader received orders to repair to the Rio Grande, and the 
troops, then about to depart to the seat of war, were directed to 
that point. It was then known here that Santa Anna had moved, 
with his large army, to attack General Taylor. Indeed, rumors 
prevailed here that a battle had been fought at or hear Saltillo, of 
a much less decisive character than subsequent authentic accounts 
showed it to have been. There was reason to fear that General 
Taylor had retreated to Monterey. It was known that his commu¬ 
nication with the Rio Grande was interrupted, and the whole line 
on that river threatened. The security of General Taylor’s .army 
was deemed to depend upon maintaining the base of the Rio 
Grande, supposed to be seriously threatened, and upon opening the 
communication between it and our army at Saltillo or Monterey. 
In this state of things, the new levies, &c., were urged forward to 
the Brassos to meet a critical emergency, not unlikely to happen, 
which would require them in that quarter. The Brassos continued 
to be the destination of most of the troops sent to the seat of war, 
until it was here astertained that General Taylor had achieved 
a glorious victory at Buena Vista, and driven back General Santa 
Anna and his large army, and that the Rio Grande was secure, and 
the communication to the army under General Taylor was firmly 
re-established. 

This information reached here about the time of that which ap¬ 
prised us of your successful debarkation and the investment of the 
city of Vera Cruz. Thereupon, orders were issued from the de¬ 
partment in April for the troops at the Brassos, and those en route 
destined for your column, forthwith to join you, and I trust that, 
by this time, a considerable body of them have reached your 
column. A confident expectation is here entertained that the 
troops which will join you, before the term of those engaged for 
twelve months shall have expired, will be quite equal to the num¬ 
ber of volunteers entitled to a discharge, and that, by the end of 
June, your column will be nearly twenty thousand men. 

My communication of the 30th ultimo, and others of that date 
from this department, will give you full information on this sub¬ 
ject. 

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding United States Army , Mexico. 




144 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 26. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa , May 6, 1847. 

Sir: The accompanying papers, general orders No. 135, and 
copy of a letter of this date, to Brevet Major General Worth, at 
Perote, will show, to some extent, my occupations and the posi¬ 
tion of the army. 

g^The subject of that order (the old volunteers) has given me long 
and deep solicitude. To part with so large and so respectable a 
portion of the army, in the middle of a country, which, though 
broken in its power, is not yet disposed to sue for peace; to pro¬ 
vide for the return home of seven regiments from this interior po¬ 
sition, at a time when I find it quite difficult to provide transpor¬ 
tation and supplies for the operating forces which remain; and all 
this without any prospect of succor or reinforcement, in perhaps 
the next seven months, beyond some three hundred army recruits, 
present novelties utterly unknown to any invading army before. 

With the addition of ten or twelve thousand new levies, in 
April and May, asked for, and until very recently expected, or 
even with the addition of the two or three thousand new troops 
destined for this army, but suddenly, by the orders of the War De¬ 
partment, diverted to the Rio Grande frontier, I might, notwith¬ 
standing the unavoidable discharge of the old volunteers, seven re¬ 
giments and two independent companies, advance with confidence 
upon the enemy’s capital. I shall, nevertheless, advance, but 
whether beyond Puebla, will depend on intervening information 
and reflection. The general panic given to the enemy at Cerro 
Gordo still remaining, I think it probable that we shall go to 
Mexico; or if the enemy recover from that, we must renew the 
consternation by another blow. Puebla, it is known, does not 
hope to resist our progress, but stands ready to receive us amica¬ 
bly, or at least courteously. Our difficulties lie in gathering in 
subsistence from a country covered with exasperated guerillas and 
banditti, and maintaining, with inadequate garrisons and escorts, 
communications with the rear. So far, we have not lost a train or 
an express rider between our advanced post at Tepeyalhualco and 
Vera Cruz, a distance of forty-one leagues. 

The discharge of the old volunteers, and the rather unexpected 
increase of the means of transportation, here and at Vera Cruz, 
have prevented my personal advance longer than I had expected 
at the date (28th ultimo) of my last report. Those new means, 
combined with the old, sent down to Vera Cruz, may make up a 
train of wheels and packs equal to 600 wagons. It ought to leave 
the water depot on the 9th instant, in which.case, with an escort 
of some 400 men from that point, and the returning volunteers in 
detachments, fifteen miles apart, on the road, the train would be 
sufficiently protected; but it has become doubtful to-day whether 
that valuable train, with, among other supplies indispensable to 
this army, nearly a million of dollars in specie, will be ready to 
leave Vera Cruz before the arrival there of all the old volunteers. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


145 


Hence I am engaged in sending off detachments of horse and foot, 
to meet and escort the train to this place. 

I cannot foresee that more than one other train, from the want of 
escorts, may be expected up, in many months. I allude to the 
wagons which are going down with the old volunteers, together 
with some additions which may be made below, and which must 
wait to come up to this depot, under the escort of Captains Ruff’s 
and Walker’s recruits at New Orleans, first ordered to the Brassos, 
but by countermand, from Washington, now expected at Yera 
Cruz. 

I cannot yet say how many of the old volunteers have re-enlisted 
for the war, or may so re-enlist at Yera Cruz, prior to embarkation; 
but probably in all, not more than four minimum companies. I 
preferred that the formation of the new companies should be made 
below, as they would be in position to escort up any new train. 

I have no news of Major General Taylor, later than about the 
25th of the month before the last. My emissary to him, has not 
returned, but has probably gone as far as Monterey. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your obedient 
servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon Wm. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 

P. S. My latest despatches from Washington were acknowl¬ 
edged in rtiy report of the 28th ultimo. It is from New Orleans 
that I have learned the rifle recruits there have been ordered to 
Yera Cruz. 

W. S. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalap a. May 3, 1847. 

Sir: The general-in-chief desires me to say that, learning that 
but few, if any, of the old volunteers will re-volunteer, upon the 
expiration of their term of service, he has determined, to avoid ex¬ 
posing them to the vomito at Yera Cruz later in the season, to dis¬ 
charge at once all who are not willing to re-volunteer now. He 
accordingly desires that you require the quartermaster at YeraCftuz 
to have in readiness, in the course of ten or twelve days, or as 
soon as practicable, transports for 3,000 troops. 

I am, &c., 

H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. G. 

Colonel H. Wilson, 

Commanding , Vera Cruz , fyc. 


General Orders, 1 Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. 135. ) Jalap a , May 4, 1847. 

Extracts of a recent act of Congress, published in the general 
orders, No. 14, dated at the War Department, March 27, 1847, 
10 








146 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


provide for and invite the tender of u the services of such of the 
volunteers, now in Mexico, who may, at the termination of the 
present term, voluntarily engage to serve during the war with 
Mexico.” 

The general order containing those extracts reached the general- 
in-chief at this place some nine days ago, and was immediately sent 
to the head-quarters of the volunteers for prompt circulation among 
the regiments present, and appealed to, viz: the Tennessee cavalry, 
the 3d and 4th Illinois infantry, the 1st and 2d Tennessee infantry, 
the Georgia infantry, and the Alabama infantry, whose several 
terms of service will, it is understood, expire in four, five, or six 
weeks. 

The general-in-chief regrets to learn, through a great number of 
undoubted channels, that, in all probability, not one man in ten, of 
those regiments, will be inclined to volunteer for the war. This 
pre-determination offers, in his opinion, no ground for reproach, 
considering the long, arduous, faithful and gallant services of those 
corps, however deeply all will regret the consequent and unavoid¬ 
able delay in the prosecution of this war to an early and honorable 
peace; for the general-in-chief cannot, in humanity and good faith,, 
cause regiments entitled, in a few weeks, to an honorable dis¬ 
charge, to advance farther from the coast in the pursuit of the 
enemy, and thereby throw them upon the necessity of returning to 
embark at Vera Cruz, at the season known to be, at that place, the 
most fatal to life. 

Accordingly, the regiments of old volunteers, and tKe indepen¬ 
dent company of Kentucky volunteers, serving with this army, will 
stand ready, on the return of the large train from below, to march 
to Yera Cruz, and thence to embark for New Orleans, where they 
will be severally and honorably mustered out of the service of the 
United States, and paid ©ff by the proper officers on duty there. 

This order will be sent to those officers, and the governor and 
commander of Yera Cruz, who has been instructed to have the 
necessary transports ready by the early arrival of the returning 
troops. 

There is nothing in the foregoing intended to interfere with the 
invitation, presented by Congress and the President, to re-enlist¬ 
ments, on the part of the old volunteers. On the contrary, the 
general-in-chief ardently hopes that many new companies will be 
formed out of those old troops, and presented for continued ser¬ 
vice, according to that invitation. He will gladly accept them for 
the war, and cause them, if not embodied into battalions, to be 
temporarily attached to the weaker regiments of the regular army, 
as indicated in the President’s orders, No. 14, above recited. 

Horses of the Tennessee cavalry, as well as officers’ horses, gen¬ 
erally, if desired by their owners, who may decline re-volunteering, 
will be paid for by the quartermaster’s department h'ere, at a fair 
valuation. The same disposition may be made of saddles and bri¬ 
dles, if needed for the public service. 

The four regiments of new volunteers present will be formed 
into a brigade under Brigadier General Quitman, who will desig- 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


147 


nate one of the four for Jalapa and another for Perote, to consti¬ 
tute* parts of the garrisons of those places. He will receive orders 
for the commencement of his march at general head-quarters. 

Major General Patterson, rendered for the moment supernume¬ 
rary with this army, will accompany the returning volunteers of 
his late gallant division, and render them such assistance on the 
way as he well knows how to give. He will report in person at 
Washington, or by letter from New Orleans, for further orders 
from the War Department. 

This distinguished general officer will please accept the thanks 
of the general-in-chief, for the gallant, able and efficient support 
uniformly received from the second in rank of this army. 

By command of Major General Scott. 

H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. G. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa , May 6, 1847. 

Sir: Having designated a regiment to constitute a part of the 
garrison at this place, you will advance, with the three remaining 
regiments of your brigade, by the national road to Perote, and there 
report yourself to Brevet Major General Worth, who has been reg¬ 
ularly assigned to duty according to that brevet. 

At Perote you will designate to Major General Worth another 
of your regiments, to constitute the principal part of the garrison 
of that castle. 

I shall endeavor to hold the other two regiments of your brigade 
together for the remainder of the campaign. 

As you will follow closely the first division of regulars, from Pe¬ 
rote to Puebla, it is not deemed necessary to assign to your brigade 
an engineer, topographical engineer or ordnance officer, as officers 
of those branches of the staff will be at the head of the movement. 

With great respect, &c., 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Brigadier General Quitman, . 

U. S. A ., #c., #c., fyc. 

% 


Head-quarters of the Army, 
Jalapa , May 6, 1847. 

Sir: Brigadier General Quitman, with three regiments of his vol¬ 
unteer brigade, and a train with some general supplies for 
the army, will march for Perote to-morrow morning. Herewith 
you will find a copy of my instructions to him. 

You will perceive that a regiment of the same brigade is to con¬ 
stitute the principal part of the garrison of the castle of Perote. 
The remainder, artillerists, sufficient to serve the batteries, you will 
detach from your division. 






0 - 

148 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


That matter being attended to, and*you being assured of the ne¬ 
cessary transportation and supplies on the road, I wish you to ’ad¬ 
vance, with your division and Quitman’s brigade, (two regiments 
of volunteers,) and take and hold Puebla. 

No part of the force under your immediate orders will be ad¬ 
vanced beyond Puebla, or detached in any direction, except 
for purposes strictly defensive, or to small distances for necessary 
supplies, until further instructions from me. 

An assistant quartermaster is about to be sent to you, who may 
be left at Perote in charge of the depots you have caused to be 
collected at the latter place, and for the further purpose of satisfy¬ 
ing, when in funds, any contracts made under your orders for sup¬ 
plies; or you may leave at Perote, for those purposes, the disbur¬ 
sing officer or officers now with you, and take the assistant quarter¬ 
master with you to Puebla. 

If you commence the advance on Puebla in two, three or four 
days, after being joined by the volunteer brigade, it will be suffi¬ 
cient, as I do not, at present, hope to reach Puebla myself, with the 
second division of regulars, or a part of it, in less than fifteen 
days, as I shall necessarily be detained here until the arrival of the 
heavy train that will leave Yera Cruz between the 9th and 12th in¬ 
stant, and may rest a day or two at Perote. 

You are so well acquainted with all my plans and views—inclu¬ 
ding the lively desire of conciliating the unoffending inhabitants of 
the country, by protecting their persons and property—and my con¬ 
fidence in your judgment, activity and intelligence being unlimited, 
I deem it unnecessary to encumber you with further cautions or in¬ 
structions. 

Most truly, &c., &c., 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Brevet Major General Worth, 

Army , #c., #c., Perote. 


No. 27. 

Head-quarters of the Ajimy, 
Jalapa , May 7, 1847. 

Sir: I have just received from Mr. Trist, chief clerk of the De¬ 
partment of State, a letter, dated yesterday, at Yera Cruz, with 
which he has sent me two from you, dated the 12th, and a third, 
the 14th ultimo. 

I enclose herewith a copy of my reply to Mr. Trist, and send one 
of your letters of the 12th—that relating to the custom houses of 
Mexico—to Colonel Wilson, commanding at Yera Cruz, with in¬ 
structions that he send a copy to Colonel Gates, commanding at 
Tampico, in order that your instructions relative to the collection 
of duties at the two ports may be duly executed. 

I am too distant from the coast, and too much occupied with the 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 149 

business of the campaign, to charge myself with the execution of 
that letter. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with respect, your most obedient 
servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


y Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa , May 7, 1847. 

Sir: I have just received your note of yesterday, accompanied 
by communications to me from the Secretary of War, and one 
(sealed!) from the Department of State to the minister of foreign 
affairs of the republic of Mexico Jl 

You are right in doubting whether there be a government, even 
de facto , in this republic. General Santa Anna, the nominal presi¬ 
dent, has been, until within a day or two, in the neighborhood of 
Orizaba, organizing bands of rancheros, banditti, or guerillas, to 
cut off stragglers from this army, and, probably, the very train, all 
important to us, which you propose to accompany into the interior; 
the safety of which train has detained me here and caused me a 
high degree of solicitude. Hence I regret that Colonel Wilson, 
commanding at Vera Cruz, has allowed himself, a second time, to 
be persuaded to detach, to bring up despatches, (for your accommo¬ 
dation,) a material portion of the force I had relied upon as the 
escort of that train. The other detachments to which I allude 
came up some days ago to escort Lieutenant Semmes, of the navy, 
duly accredited by Commodore Perry, to the Mexican minister of 
foreign affairs, to negotiate the exchange of Passed Midshipman 
Rogers, now a prisoner of w r ar! That matter also seems to have 
been considered too important to be entrusted to my agency! 

But, to return to the actual government of Mexico. Senor Anaya 
is, I believe, president ad interim. But you may have learned that 
the congress, after hearing of the affair of Cerro Gordo, passed 
many violent decrees, breathing war to the uttermost against the 
United States; declaring that the executive has no power, and shall 
have none, to conclude a treaty, or even an armistice, with the 
United States; and denouncing as a traitor any Mexican functionary 
who shall .entertain either proposition. I have communicated a 
copy of those decrees to the War Department, and, until further 
orders thereupon, or until a change of circumstances, I very much 
doubt whether I can so far commit the honor of my government as 
to take any direct agency in forwarding the sealed despatch you 
have sent me from the Secretary of State of the United States. 

On this delicate point, however, you will do as you please, and 
when, if able, I shall have advanced near to the capital, I may, at 
your instance, lend an escort to your flag of truce; and it may 
require a large fighting detachment to protect even a flag of truce 



150 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


against the rancheros and banditti who now infest the national road 
all - the way up to the capital. 

I see that the Secretary of War proposes to degrade me by re¬ 
quiring that I, the commander of this army, shall defer to you, the 
chief clerk of the Department of State, the question of continuing 
or discontinuing hostilities. 

I beg to say to him, and to you, that here, in the heart of a hos¬ 
tile country, from which, after a few weeks, it would be impossible 
to withdraw this army without a loss, probably of half its numbers, 
by the vomito; which army, from necessity, must soon become a 
self-sustaining machine , cut off from all supplies and reinforce¬ 
ments from home until, perhaps, late in November, not to speak of 
the bad faith of the government and people of Mexico; I say, in 
reference to those critical circumstances, this army must take mili¬ 
tary security for its own safety. Hence the question of an armis¬ 
tice or no armistice is most peculiarly a military question, apper¬ 
taining, of necessity, if not of universal right, in the absence of 
direct instructions, to the commander of the invading forces. Con¬ 
sequently, if you are not clothed with military rank over me, as 
well as with diplomatic functions, I shall demand, under the pecu¬ 
liar circumstances, that, in your negotiations, if the enemy should 
entertain your overtures, you refer that question to me, and all the 
securities belonging to it. The safety of this army demands no 
less, and I am responsible for that safety until duly supeiseded or 
recalled. Indeed, from the nature of the case, if the enemy, on 
your petition, should be willing to concede an armistice, he would, 
no doubt, demand the military guaranty of my signature for his 
own safety. 

Should you, under the exposition of circumstances I have given, 
visit the moveable head-quarters of this army, I shall receive you 
with the respeet due to a functionary of my government; but 
whether you would find me here, Perote, Puebla, or elsewhere, 
depends on events changeable at every moment. 

The sealed despatch from the Department of State I suppose you 
to desire me to hold until your arrival, or until I shall hear further 
from you. 

I remain, sir, respectfully, &c., 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

N. P. Trist, Esq., fyc.) #c., fyc. 


War Department, May 31, 1847. 

Sir: I have received your letter of the 6th instant, with copies 
of instructions to Generals Worth and Quitman, and Colonel Wil¬ 
son. By these I learn that the volunteers, whose term of service 
is limited to twelve months, are on their return home. They have 
been discharged at an earlier period than was anticipated. The 
additional troops for your column will soon be with it in sufficient 
numbers to supply, and more than supply, the place of the dis¬ 
charged volunteers. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


151 


The reason for a temporary diversion of a part of these troops, 
of which you complain, has been explained, and, I trust, in a sat¬ 
isfactory manner, in a former communication from this department. 

I am gratified by the intelligence of your extended progress into 
the enemy’s country, and hope that your successful operations will 
accelerate the conclusion of a peace. 

Your course hitherto, in relation to prisoners of war, both men 
and officers, in discharging them on parole, has been liberal and 
kind; but whether it ought to be still longer continued, or in some 
respects changed, has been under the consideration of the Presi¬ 
dent, and he has directed me to communicate to you his views on 
the subject. He is not unaware of the great embarrassment their 
detention, or the sending of them to the ; United States, would oc¬ 
casion; but, so far as relates to the officers, he thinks they should 
be detained until duly exchanged. In that case, it will probably 
be found expedient to send them, or most of them, to the United 
States. You will not, therefore, except for special reasons in particu¬ 
lar cases, discharge the officers who may be taken prisoners, but 
detain them with you, or send them to the United States, as you 
shall deem most expedient. 

It is an unpleasant duty to advert, as I feel constrained to do, to 
your letter, of the 7th instant, and more particularly to the copy of 
one of the same date, therewith enclosed, addressed by you to Mr. 
Trist. With me it is a matter of sincere regret that a letter of 
such an extraordinary character was sent to that gentleman, and I 
cannot doubt it will be no less regretted by yourself on more re¬ 
flection and better information. Such information you would have 
received, had Mr. Trist delivered in person, as I did not doubt he 
would, my letter to you of the 14th instant, [ultimo,] with the de¬ 
spatch from the State Department to the Mexican minister of for¬ 
eign relations. My letter should have secured you from the strange 
mistake into which you have fallen, by regarding him as the bearer 
of that despatch to the Mexican government, and yourself called 
on to aid in transmitting it. Had such been the true state of the 
case, I cannot perceive that you would have had any just ground 
of complaint, or any sufficient excuse for withholding the assist¬ 
ance required; but, by looking at my letter, you will discover your 
misapprehension. Mr. Trist was the bearer of that despatch to 
yourself—not to the Mexican government—and when he had de¬ 
livered it into your hands, his agency ceased; he had no discretion 
or judgment to exercise in regard to sending on or withholding it. 
This was a matter committed solely to yourself. I refer to the 
language of my letter to show the entire correctness of this view 
of the subject: u You will transmit that despatch to the com¬ 
mander of the Mexican forces, with a request that it may be laid 
before his government, at the same time giving information that 
Mr. Trist, an officer from our department for foreign affairs, next 
in rank to its chief, is at your head quarters, or on board the squad¬ 
ron, as the case may be.” This is a positive instruction to your¬ 
self to send that despatch forward, and it is expected you will 
have acted upon it without waiting for the arrival of Mr. Trist at 




152 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

your head-quarters, if thereby any unnecessary delay was likely to 
result. 

If you infer that the succeeding sentence in my letter controlled, 
or in any manner qualified the President’s order in regard to for¬ 
warding that despatch, you have been led into an error. Mr. Trist 
was directed to exhibit to you, not only his instructions, but the 
projet of a treaty with which he had been furnished by his govern¬ 
ment. These documents would have fully disclosed to you u the 
objects of his mission,” for the accomplishment of which you were 
requested to afford facilities. None of these objects had relation 
to the transmission of the despatch in question. 

You have marked with a note of admiration, the fact that the de¬ 
spatch was sealed. True, it was sealed; but the bearer, who was 
charged with the delivery of it to you, had a copy; and had he handed 
that despatch in person to you, as it was expected he would do, 
he would, no doubt, have exhibited that copy to your inspection. 

A still more serious misconception has seized your mind in regard 
to an armistice. Before this time, it is quite probable you will 
have read the instructions to the commissioner, whom you see fit 
to denominate a the chief clerk of the State Department,” and, 
I trust, that a knowledge of what they contain has dissipated all 
your distressing apprehensions of being degraded by me. . My let¬ 
ter informed you that Mr. Trist was u clothed with diplomatic 
powers;” and his instructions and the projet of a treaty which he 
carried with him have, ere this, apprised you that he is a commis¬ 
sioner, with full power to negotiate a peace. The treaty which he 
was authorized to conclude contains an article, as you will have 
perceived, which provides for a suspension of hostilities; but not 
until the treaty shall have been ratified by the Mexican govern¬ 
ment. Neither the considerations of humanity, nor sound policy, 
would justify the continuance of active military operations, after a 
treaty of peace had been concluded and ratified on the part of 
Mexico, until the information of that fact could be communicated 
from Mexico to this place, and an order for the suspension of hos¬ 
tilities hence transmitted to the commanding general in that coun¬ 
try. It will not be questioned that a commissioner of peace may 
be properly vested with the power of agreeing to a suspension of 
hostilities in a definitive treaty, negotiated and already ratified by 
one party, while waiting the ratification of the other. As the negotia¬ 
tor is the first to know the fact that a treaty has been concluded and 
so ratified, it is, beyond dispute, proper that he should be directed to 
communicate the knowledge of that fact to the commanding gen¬ 
eral; and it cannot, in my view of the case, be derogatory to that 
officer to be placed under instructions to act with reference to that 
fact, when duly notified of it by the commissioner. The case cannot 
be made plainer, or your misapprehensions in regard to it more clearly 
pointed out, than by simply stating it as it must exist if the contin¬ 
gency should fortunately happen, on which you will be required to 
suspend hostilities. A commissioner of peace is sent by the Presi¬ 
dent to your head-quarters, and he makes known to you his au¬ 
thority to receive from Mexico offers for concluding a peace. You 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


153 


are informed, by his instructions and the projet of a treaty which 
he is required to exhibit to you, that on the conclusion and ratifi¬ 
cation of a treaty of peace by Mexico, hostilities immediately 
thereafter are to cease. With all these facts fully made known to 
you in advance, you are directed by the President to suspend hos¬ 
tilities on receiving written notice from the commissioner that the 
contingency—the conclusion and ratification of a treaty of peace 
by Mexico—has happened. Under these circumstances, can you 
conceive that, as commanding general of the force in Mexico, you 
have the right to raise a question upon your duty to obey this di¬ 
rection, coming as it does, through a proper channel, from your 
superior—the commander-in-chief'? In my opinion you could not 
have wandered further from the true view of the case, than by sup¬ 
posing that the President or myself has placed you in the condi¬ 
tion of deferring u to the chief clerk of the Department of State, 
the question of continuing or discontinuing hostilities.” I cannot 
conceive that any well founded exception can be taken to the 
order you have received, in relation to suspending hostilities; and 
I am fully persuaded that, if the contingency requiring you to act 
upon it shall ever occur, you will promptly carry it into full effect. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. M4RCY, 

Secretary of War. 

Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. Army , Mexico. 


No. 28. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa , May 20, 1847. 

Sir: Less than half the train, and less than a third of the sup¬ 
plies, expected up about the 14th instant, at the date of my report, 
No. 26, arrived. The quartermaster, at Yera Cruz, had over¬ 
estimated his number of wagons and animals, and the latter were 
found too feeble to transport full loads through the heat and sands 
of the low country. No money came by that train to the quarter¬ 
master or commissary, as none had arrived, for either, at Yera Cruz, 
from New Orleans. The paymaster here received about $280,000— 
the half of his estimate for January, February, March, and April. 

If it be expected at Washington, as is now apprehended, that this 
army is to support itself by forced contributions, levied upon the 
country, we may ruin and exasperate the inhabitants and starve 
ourselves; for it is certain they would sooner remove or destroy 
the products of their farms than allow them to fall into our hands 
without compensation. Not a ration for man or horse would be 
brought in, except by thebayonet, which would oblige the troops to 
spread themselves out, many leagues, lo the right and left, in search 
of subsistence, and to stop all military operations. 

Of money there is but little in any part of the country, except 




154 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


in the hands of foreign miners and merchants, intended for expor¬ 
tation. None has come down as low as Jalapa since we invested 
Vera Cruz; but Ave suppose that at Puebla, and beyond, we shall 
be able to sell drafts on the United States readily at par, of, per¬ 
haps, at a premium. 

I know nothing of the receipts at the custom-houses of Vera 
Cruz, Tampico, &c. Probably they are but inconsiderable; but, if 
great, we could not, after this date, and when further advanced, 
draw upon them for the uses of this army. 

Another train of wagons (170) is just entering this city from 
Vera Cruz, under the escort of Captafns Walker’s and Ruff’s rifle¬ 
men. If it has a second or third of the essential supplies now long 
waited for—medicines, ammunition, clothing, salt, &c.—I shall ad¬ 
vance, having lost the hope of receiving further reinforcements, 
except some 900 recruits for the old regiments of this army, of 
which we have notice of the adjutant general at Washington. I 
send down by convalescent officers and men, principally belonging 
to the discharged volunteer regiments, a small train of wagons to 
meet those recruits, and to be added to any new means of trans¬ 
portation the quartermaster may have at Vera Cruz. When they 
come up we shall lose, for months, all dependance on that depot. 

I shall leave in garrison here the 1st artillery, (five companies,) 
serving as infantry; one troop of horse; the whole of the 2d Penn¬ 
sylvania and three companies of the 1st Pennsylvania regiments. 
Brevet Colonel Childs is designated as the governor and commander 
of the place. 

The garrison of the castle of Perote will continue as at present: 
a detachment of artillerists, to serve the batteries; a troop of horse, 
and seven companies of the 1st Pennsylvania volunteers, with Colo¬ 
nel Wynkoop, of the latter, as governor and commander. 

Worth’s and Quitman’s divisions entered Puebla the 15th instant. 
Santa Anna, from Orizaba, preceded them a short time, and has, it 
is said, taken up a defensive position near Rio Frio, equidistant (14 
leagues) from Puebla and the capital, with a force (variously re¬ 
ported) of from two thousand to four thousand men. If he stand, 
we shall assault him, with confidence, no matter what may be his 
numbers. The advance, at Puebla, has instructions, as I have here¬ 
tofore reported, to wait there for the arrival of the reserve, 
(Twiggs’s division,) or until further orders. 

I find that the train, just in, has brought up but a small part of 
the ammunition needed. Nevertheless, we shall advance without 
further delay. 

I enclose, herewith, copies (in English and Spanish) of a procla¬ 
mation I Avas induced to issue on the 11th instant. It was, origi¬ 
nally, under my directions, written in Spanish, at the instance of 
persons of very high standing and influence—some of them of the 
church—who suggested the topics and sentiments the most likely 
to find a response in the bosoms of Mexicans, and to promote the 
cause of justice, moderation, and peace. To the cast of the procla¬ 
mation I saw no American objection. Its effects,as far as we have 
heard, are very favorable; but the express (a Mexican) engaged by 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 155 

the deputation to take the printed copies to the capital was inter¬ 
cepted near Puebla. 

Mr. Trist arrived here on the 14th instant. He has not done me 
the honor to call upon me. Possibly, he has thought the complr- 
ment of a first visit was due to him ! I learn that he is writing a 
reply to my answer to him, dated the 7th instant. A copy of that 
answer I enclosed to you the moment it was written. It is not 
probable that I shall find leisure to read his reply, much less to 
give a rejoinder. 

When I wrote to you and Mr. Trist, late on the night of the 7th, 
to go down by a detachment of horse that I was obliged to despatch 
early the next morning, I had not time to defend the position you 
had forced me to assume, and shall I now but glance at that position. 

The honorable Mr. Benton has publicly declared that if the law had 
passed making him general-in-chief of the United States armiesin 
Mexico—either as lieutenant general , or as junior major genera] over 
seniors, the power would have been given him not only of agreeing to 
an armistice, which would, of course, have appertained to hisposition, 
but the much higher power of concluding a treaty of peace; and it will 
be remembered, also, that in my letter to Major General Taylor, 
dated June 12, 1846, written at your instance, and, as I understood 
at the time, approved by the cabinet, his power to agree to an 
armistice was merely adverted to in order to place upon it certain 
limitations. I understand your letter to me, of the 14th ultimo, as 
not only taking from me, the commander of an army, under the 
most critical circumstances, all voice or advice in agreeing to a 
truce with the enemy, but as an attempt to place me under the mili¬ 
tary command of Mr. Trist; for you tell me, that u should he make 
known to you, in writing, that the contingency has occurred in con¬ 
sequence of which the President is willing that further active mili¬ 
tary operations should cease, you will regard such notice as a di¬ 
rection from the President to suspend them until further orders 
from this department.” That is, I am required to respect the judg¬ 
ment of Mr. Trist here, on passing events, purely military, as the 
judgment of the President who is some two thousand miles off ! I 
suppose this to be the second attempt of the kind ever made to dis¬ 
honor a general-in-chief in the field before or since the time of 
the French convention. That other instance occurred in your ab¬ 
sence from Washington in June, 1845, when Mr. Bancroft, acting 
Secretary of War, instructed General Taylor, in certain matters, to 
obey the orders of Mr. Donaldson, charge d’affaires in Texas; and 
you may remember the letter that I wrote to General Taylor, with 
the permission of both Mr. Bancroft and yourself, to correct that 
blunder. The letter may be found on record in my office at Wash¬ 
ington. 

Whenever it may be the pleasure of the President to instruct me 
directly, or through any authorized channel, to propose or to agree 
to an armistice with the enemy, on the happening of any given con¬ 
tingency or contingencies, or to do any other military act, I shall 
most promptly and cheerfully obey him; but I entreat to be spared 
the personal dishonour of being again required to obey the orders 
of the chief clerk of the State Department, as the orders of the con- 



156 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

stitutional commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United 
States. 

To Mr. Trist, as a functionary of my government, I have caused 
to be shown, since his arrival here, every proper attention. I sent 
the chief quartermaster and an aid-de-camp, to show him the rooms 
I had ordered for him; I have caused him to be tendered a sentinel 
to be placed at his door, and to receive his orders, I shall from time 
to time send him word of my personal movements, and I shall con¬ 
tinue to show him all other attentions necessary to the discharge of 
any diplomatic functions with which he may be intrusted. 

I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect, your most obedi¬ 
ent servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 

P. S.—May 21. I put under cover portions of an unofficial letter 
just received from Major General Worth. They are highly inter¬ 
esting. 

But one company, mounted, under Captain Wheat, was re-enlis¬ 
ted (for the war) out of the whole of the old volunteers. It has 
just arrived from Vera Cruz. 

The reserve will positively advance to morrow. The deficiency 
in supplies from Yera Cruz, has resulted, I find, not so much from 
the want of wagons and animals there, as from the want of drivers 
and conductors. Some 400 old volunteers, engaged here, for the 
wagons and pack mules, broke off at Yera Cruz, and embarked with 
their respective companies. W. S. 


[Copy of letter referred to above.] 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Washington , July 5, 1845. 

Sir: In the instructions to you from the acting Secretary of 
War, dated the 15th ultimo, an expression is used which might 
seem to place you, in certain matters, under the directions of the 
United States charge ^d’affaires in Texas. I, yesterday, on seeing 
those instructions for the first time, called the attention of both Mr. 
Secretary Marcy and Mr. Secretary Bancroft, to that expression, 
when both promptly agreed that the word information , or advice , 
ought to have been substituted “for directions.” The true^rule, on 
this point, is laid down in the letter to you from the War Depart¬ 
ment of the 28th of May last, which I find acknowledged in your 
report, just received, of the 18th ultimo. The views of the report 
are highly approved. 

I remain, sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Maj. Gen. Z. Taylor. 


True copy: 


January 14, 1847, 


R. JONES, Adjutant General. 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


157 


Extracts of an unofficial letter of Major General Worth to Major 

General Scott , dated at 

% 

’ Puebla, May 19, 1847. 

“Many supplies bespoken on the route, of persons exceedingly 
well disposed, hare been kept back by menaces and the interposi¬ 
tion of guerilla bands. 

“I beg to suggest the convenience of securing as much corn as can 
be taken into the wagons and packed upon mules, pressed en route, 
particularly at Vent a el Penal , around which, in short distances, 
there is a large amount and every disposition to sell. 

“I commend the principal person you will find there to special 
consideration. There must be the semblance of coercion. 

“I incline to the belief that there may be some 6 to 800 of beg¬ 
garly cavalry between us, perdu , to strike at some miserable strag¬ 
gler or a loosely conducted train; but no force that could be whip¬ 
ped to the assault of 100 of our men in compact order and good 
array. 

“My intelligence is limited to the reports of spies, the concur¬ 
ring information of several sets amounts to this; that yesterday and 
the day before Santa Anna’s force abandoned the project of making 
a stand at San Martin on the Rio Frio, (Tesmaluca,) where works 
had been constructed, having discovered, on more detailed exami¬ 
nation, that both points could be easily turned; that the whole of 
his badly armed force is marching on the capital. Again, there are, 
as usual, abundance of rumors of heavy forces approaching from the 
south and southwest. 

“We are rapidly accumulating supplies of the essentials, and could 
soon garner up sufficient for all our wants, with a few hundred cav¬ 
alry to control actively a large circle and allay the fears of holders. 

“It was most fortunate that I got hold of one copy of your pro¬ 
clamation. To day I had a third edition struck off, and am now 
with hardly a copy on hand. • 

“It takes admirably, and my doors are crowded for it—with the 
.people (of all classes) it takes admirably, and has produced more 
decided effects than all the blows from JPalo Alto to Cerro Gordo. 

“I have scattered them far and wide, and taken three chances to 
get them into the capital. 

“I have already told you that those you sent were intercepted, as 
also all your communications. 

“The elections came off in the States on the 15th. It is gene¬ 
rally believed Herrera will succeed. Shots are being fired in the 
capital. A pronunciamento is hourly expected, and this is probably 
the secret of Santa Anna’s march upon that point. 

“He is in extremis. All agree that his day is passed. 

“The archives, and much public property, has already been re¬ 
moved from the capital to Morales, whither the Congress is to go, 
if not already gone, as also most of the notables. 

“Here we are greatly straitened for funds, but I think, through 



158 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

certain high moral influences, we may get along until you come 

up.” 

Respectfully communicated for the information of the Hon. Sec¬ 
retary of War. By command. 

G. W. LAY, 

Lieutenant and Military Secretary . 
Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa , May 21, 1847. 


El General-en-gefe de los Egercitos de los Estados-Unidos de 
America , a la nacion Megicana. 

Megicanos: Los ultimos sucesos de la guerra y las providencias 
que en consecuencia ha dictado vuestro gobierno: me ponen en el 
deber de dirijirme a vosotros para demostrarrs verdades que ig- 
norais, porque os las ocultan maliciosamente. No quiero que me 
creais por mis palabras, aunque tiene derecho para que lo crean el 
que jamas ha faltado a ella, sino que juzgueis de estas verdades, 
por los hechos que estan a la vista y a la calificacion de todos 
vosotros. 

Cualquiera que fuera el origen de esta guerra que mi nacion se 
vio obligada a emprender por causas imprescindibles, que entiendo 
desconoce la mayor parte de la nacion Megicana, lo consideramos 
como una fatalidad, porque siempre lo es uiia guerra para las dos 
partes beligerantes, y la razon y la justicia se ponen en duda, si no 
se desconocen enteramente por ambos lados, ereyendo cada cual 
que el las tiene. La prueba de esta verdad la teneis los Megi¬ 
canos lo mismo que nosotros; pues en Megico, asi como en los Es¬ 
tados-Unidos, ecsistieron y ecsisten dos partidos oquestos, que de- 
sean la paz el uno y la guerra el otro. Pero los gobiernos tieneu 
deUeres sagrados de los que no pueden prescindir, y muchas veces 
estos deberes imponen por conveniencias nacionales un silencio y 
una reserva que algunas veces desagradan a la mayoria de los que* 
hacen la oposicion por miras puramente personales 6 particulares, 
y que no deben considerar los gobiernos, suponiendo que la nacion 
tiene en ellos la confianza que merece un magistrado que ella 
misma eligio. 

Razones de alta politica y de interes continental Americano com- 
prometieron los sucesos apesar de la circunspeccion del gabinete 
de Washington, que deseando ardientemente poner un termino a 
todas sus diferencias con Megico, no perdono recursos de cuantos 
fueron compatibles con su decoro y dignidad para llegar a tan 
deseado fin; y cuando alimentaba la mas lisonjera esperanza de ob- 
tener por medio de su franca esplicacion y del razonamiento some- 
tido al juicio y cordura del virtuoso y patriotico gobierno del 
General D. J. Herrera, la desgracia menos esperado hizo desapare- 
cer aquella grata esperanza, y a la vez obstruyo todos los caminos 
que pudieran conducir a una transacion honrosa para las dos na- 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


159 


ciones. El nuevo gobierno clesconocio los intereses nacionales asi 
como los continentales Americanos, y eligio ademas las influencias 
estranas mas oquestas a estos intereses y mag funestas para el por- 
venir de la libertad Megicana y del sistema republicano que los 
Estados-Unidos tienen un deber de conservar y proteger. El de- 
ber, el honor y el propio decoro nos puso en la necesidad de no 
perder un tiempo que violentaban los hombres del partido monar- 
quico, porque era preciso no perder rnomento, y obramos con la 
actividad y decision necesarias en casos tan urgentes, para evitar 
asi la complicacion de intereses que podrian hacer mas dificil y 
comprometida nuestra situacion. 

De nuevo en el curso de la guerra civil fue derrocado vuestro 
gobierno del General Parede$, y nosotros no pudimos menos que 
creer que esto seria un bien, porque cualquiera otro personel que 
representara al gobierno seria menos iluso, a la vez que mas patri- 
ota y mas prudente, si habia de atender al bien comun conside- 
rando y pesando todas las probabilidades, su fuerza, elementos, y 
sobre todo la opinion mas general respecto de resultados positivos 
de la guerra nacional. Nos equivocamos nosotros, como acaso se 
equivocaron los Megicanos tambien, al juzgar de las intenciones 
verdaderas del General Santa Anna, a quien ellos llamaron y nues- 
tro gobierno permitio regresar. 

En este estado, la nacion Megican'a ha visto cuales han sido los 
resultados que todos lamentan, y nosotros sinceramente, porque 
apreciamos como es debido el valor y la noble decision de los des- 
graciados que van al combate, mal conducidos, peor dirijidos, y 
casi siempre violentados por el engaho 6 la perfidia. 

Somos testigos, y como parte afectada no se nos tachara de par- 
ciales, cuando hemos lamentado con admiracion, que el heroico 
comportamiento de la guarnicion de Veracruz en la valiente de- 
fenza qu hizo, fue infamado por el general que acaba de ser derro- 
tado y puesto en vergonzosa fuga por un numero muy inferior al 
de las fuerzas que mandaba, en Buena Vista: que este general pre- 
mio a los pronunciados en Megico, siendo promovedores de la 
guerra civil, y ultrajo a los que singularmente se acababan de dis- 
tinguir resistiendo mas alia de lo‘que podia esperarse, con una de¬ 
cision admirable. 

Por ultimo, el sangriento suceso de Cerro Gordo ha puesto en 
evidencia a la nacion Megicana lo que razonablemente debera esperar 
si por mas tiempo continua desconociendo la verdadera situacion a 
que la han coftducido algunos de sus generales a quienes mas ha 
distinguido y en los que mas ha confiado. 

Dolor y lagrimas causaria al hombre de mas duro corazon con- 
templar los campos de battalia en Megico un minuto despues del 
ultimo tiro. Los generales a quienes la nacion ha pagado por tan- 
tos arios, sin que la sean utiles, con algunas honrosas escepciones, 
el dia que los ha necesitado, han servido de perjuicio con su mal 
egemplo 6 su impericia. Alii entre los muertos y los heridos no 
se ven pruebas de honor militar, porque estan casi reducidos a la 
triste suerte del soldado, y esta ha sido en todas ocasiones desde 
Palo Alto hasta Cerro Gordo, quedar los muertos insepultos y los 



160 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


heridos abandonados a la clemencia y caridad del vencedor; y sol- 
dados que van a batirse con conocimiento de esperarles esta recom- 
pensa, bien merecian ser reconocidos por los mejores del mundo, 
porque no los estimula ni una gloria efimera, ni un suspiro, ni un 
recuerdo, y ni siquiera un sepulcro. 

Pues bien, conteinplad ahora Megicanos honrados, la suerte de 
los ciudadanos pacificos y laboriosos en todas las clases de vuestra 
sociedad. Los bienes de la iglesia amenazados y presentados como 
aliciente para la revolucion y la anarquia; la fortuna de los ricos 
propietarios seiialada para rapina de los per.versos; el comerciante 
y el artesano, el labrador y el fabricante agoviados de con, tribu- 
ciones, alcabalas, estancos, derechos de consum’orodeado de guardas y 
empleados de las odiosas aduanas interibres. El literato y el legista, 
el hombre libre de saber que se atreve a hablar perseguido sin ser, 
juzgado por algun partido 6 por los mismos gobernantes que abusan 
del poder; los criminales sin castigo y puestos en libertad, como 
los que estaban en la fortaleza de Perote j,cual es pues, Megicanos, 
la libertad de que gozaisl 

Yo no creo que los Megicanos hijos del siglo presente les falte 
el valor para confesar errores que no les deshonran y para adoptar 
un sistema de verdadera libertad, de paz, y union con sus herma- 
nos vecinos del Norte. 

Tampoco puedo creer que ignoren la infamia con que nos ultra- 
jan en los periodicos para concitar a la rebelion; no, el espiritu 
publico no se crea ni se reanima con falsedades. Nosotros no 
hemos profanado vuestros templos, ni abusado de vuestras muge- 
res, ni ocupado vuestra propiedad, como os lo quieren hacer creer, 
y lo decimos con orgullo y lo acreditamos con vuestros mismos 
obispos y con los curas de Tampico, Tuspan, Matamoros, Mon¬ 
terey, Veracruz, y Jalapa; con todos los religiosos y autoridades 
civiles y vecinos de los pueblos todos que hemos ocupado. No¬ 
sotros adoramos al mismo Dios, y una gran parte de nuestro eger- 
cito, asi como de la poblacion de los Estados-Unidos, somos catoli- 
cos como vosotros: castigamos el delito donde quiera que le hal- 
lamos y premiamos al merito y a la virtud. 

El egercito de los Estados-Unidos respeta y respetara siempre la 
propiedad particular de toda clase, y la propiedad de la Inglesia 
Megicana; y des graciado de aquel que asi no lo hiciere! donde 
nosotros estemos. 

Megicanos, lo pasado no puede ya remediarse; pero lo futuro 
puede precaverse todavia: repetidas veces os he manifestado que el 
gobierno y pueblo de los Estados Unidos desea la paz, desea vues¬ 
tra sincera amistad. Abandonad pues rancias preocupaciones y 
dejad de ser el juguete de la ambicion particular y conducios como 
una nacion grande Americana; dejad de una vez esos habitos de 
colonos y sabed ser verdaderamente libres, verdaderamente repub- 
licanps, y muy pronto podeis ser muy ricos y muy felices, pues 
teneis todos los elementos para serlo, mas pensad que sois Ameri¬ 
canos y que no ha de venir de Europa vuestra felicitad. 

Deseo en conclusion manifestar, y con igual franqueza, que si 
necesario fuese vendria muy pronto un egercito de cien mil horn- 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


161 


bres, y que los Estados-Unidos no terminarian sus diferencias con 
Megico, teniendo que hacerlo por las armas, de un modo incierto, 
ni precario, y menos deshonroso, y yo agraviaria a la parte ilus- 
trada de este pais si dudara que ellos conocen esta yerdad. 

La autorizacion para forma guerrillas que nos hostilicen, os 
aseguro no producira sino males al pais y ningun mal a nuestro 
egercito que sabra precaverse y proceder contra ellos; y si, lejos 
de calmar los animos y las pasiones procurais irritarlas nos pon- 
dreis en el duro caso de las represalias y entonces no podreis ni 
culparnos de las consecuencias que recaeran sobre vosotros. 

Marcho con mi egercito para Puebla y Megico, no os lo oculto; 
desde estas capitales os volvere a hablar; deseo la paz, la amistad 
y la union; a vosotros os toca elegir si preferis continuar la guerra; 
de todos modos, estad seguros que nunca falta ra a su palabra el 
general. 

WINFIELD SCOTT, 
Cuartel General del Egercito. 

Jalapa, Mayo 11 de 1847. 


The general-in-chief of the armies of the United States of America , 
to the Mexican nation: 

Mexicans: The late events of the war, and the measures adopted 
in consequence by your government, make it my duty to address 
you, in order to lay before you truths of which you are ignorant, 
because they have been criminally concealed from you. I do not 
ask you to believe me singly on my word—though he who has not 
been found false has a claim to be believed—but to judge for your¬ 
selves of these truths, from facts within the view and scrutiny of 
you all. 

Whatever may have been the origin of this war, which the 
United States were forced to undertake by insurmountable causes, 
we regard it as an evil. War is ever such to both belligerents; 
and the reason and justice of the case, if not unknown on both sides, 
are in dispute, and claimed by each. You have proof of this truth 
as well as we; for in Mexico, as in the United States, there have 
existed, and do exist, two opposite parties—one desiring peace; 
another, war. 

Governments, however, have sacred duties to perform, from 
which they cannot swerve; and these duties frequently impose, 
from national considerations, a silence and a reserve that displease, 
at times, the majority of those who, from views purely personal or 
private, are found in opposition; to which governments can pay 
little attention, expecting the nation to repose in them the confi¬ 
dence due to a magistracy of its own selection. 

Considerations of high policy and of continental American 
interests precipitated events, in spite of the circumspection of the 
cabinet at Washington. This cabinet, ardently desiring £o termi- 

11 




162 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


nate all differences with Mexico, spared no efforts compatible with 
honor and dignity. It cherished the most flattering hopes of 
attaining this end by frank explanations and reasonings addressed 
to the judgment and prudence of the virtuous and patriotic govern¬ 
ment of General Herrera. Aij unexpected misfortune dispelled 
these hopes, and closed every avenue to an honorable adjustment. 
Your new government disregarded your national interests as well 
as those of continental America, and yielded, moreover, to foreign 
influences the most opposed to those interests—the most fatal to 
the future of Mexican liberty, and of that republican system which 
the United States hold it a duty to preserve and to protect. Duty, 
honor, and dignity, placed us under the necessity of not losing a 
season, of which the monarchical party was fast taking advantage. 
As not a moment was to be lost, we acted with a promptness and 
decision suited to the urgency of the case, in order to avoid a com¬ 
plication of interests which might render our relations more difficult 
and involved. 

Again: in the course of civil war, the government of General 
Paredes was overthrown. We could not but look upon this as a 
fortunate event, believing that any other administration, represent¬ 
ing Mexico, would be less deluded, more patriotic, and more pru¬ 
dent—looking to the common good, weighing probabilities, 
strength, resources, and, above all, the general opinion as to the 
inevitable results of a national war. We were deceived—as per¬ 
haps you, Mexicans, were also deceived—in judging of the real in¬ 
tentions of General Santa Anna, whom you recalled, and whom our 
government permitted to return. 

Under this state of things the Mexican nation has seen the results 
lamented by all, and by us most sincerely; for we appreciate, as is 
due, the valor and noble decision of those unfortunate men who go 
to battle, ill-conducted, worse cared for, and almost always 
enforced by violence, deceit, or perfidy. 

We are witnesses—and we shall not be taxed with partiality, as 
a party interested, when we lament with surprise—that the heroic 
behavior of the garrison of Yera Cruz, in its valiant defence, has 
been aspersed by the general who had just been routed and put to 
shameful flight at Buena Vista, by a force far inferior to his own; 
that the same general rewarded the insurgents of the capital—pro¬ 
moters of civil war—and heaped outrage on those who had just ac¬ 
quired for themselves singular distinction by a resistance beyond 
expectation, and of admirable decision. 

Finally, the bloody event of Cerro Gordo has plainly shown the 
Mexican nation what it may reasonably expect, if it longer con¬ 
tinues blind to its real situation—a situation to which it has been 
brought by some of its generals, whom it has most distinguished, 
and in whom it has most confided. 

The hardest heart would have been moved to grief in contem¬ 
plating any battle-field of Mexico, a moment after the last struggle. 
Those generals whom the nation has paid without service rendered, 
for so many years, have, in the day of need, with some honorable 
exceptions, but served to injure her by their bad example or un- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


163 


skilfulness. The dead and wounded on those fields received no 
marks of military distinction, sharing alike the sad fate which has 
been the same from Palo Alto to Cerro Gordo; the dead remained 
unburied, and the wounded abandoned to the clemency and charity 
of the victor. Soldiers who go to battle, knowing they have such 
reward to look for, deserve to be classed with the most heroic- for 
they are stimulated by no hope of glory, nor remembrance, nor a 
sigh—not even a grave. 

Again contemplate, honorable Mexicans, the lot of peaceful and 
industrious citizens in all classes of your country. The possessions 
of the church menaced, and presented as an allurement to revolu¬ 
tion and anarchy; the fortunes of rich proprietors pointed out for 
the plunder of armed ruffians; the merchant and the mechanic, the 
husbandman and the manufacturer, burdened with contributions, 
excises, monopolies, duties on consumption, and surrounded by offi¬ 
cers and collectors of these odious internal customs; the man of 
letters and the legislator; the freemen of knowledge, who dares to 
speak, persecuted, without trial, by some faction, or by the very 
rulers who abuse their power; and criminals, unpunished, are set at 
liberty, as were those of Perote.' What, then, Mexicans, is the 
liberty of which you boast'? 

I will not believe that Mexicans of the present day want the 
courage to confess errors which do not dishonor them, or to adopt 
a system of true liberty—one of peace and union with their 
brethren and neighbors of the north. 

Neither can I believe Mexicans ignorant of the infamy of the 
calumnies put forth by the press, in order to excite hostility against 
us. No; public spirit cannot be created nor animated by false¬ 
hood. We have not profaned your temples, nor abused your 
women, nor seized your property, as they would have you believe. 
We say it with pride, and we confirm it by an appeal to your 
bishops and the curates of Tampico, Tuzpan, Matamoras, Monterey, 
Vera Cruz, and Jalapa; to all the clergy, civil authorities, and in¬ 
habitants of all the places we have occupied. 

We adore the same God; and a large portion of our army, as 
w T ell as of the people of the United States, is Catholic like your¬ 
selves. We punish crime wherever we find it, and Reward merit 
and virtue. 

The army of the United States respects, and will ever respect, 
private property of every class, and the property of the Mexican 
church. Wo to him who does not—where we are. 

Mexicans: the past is beyond remedy, but the future may yet be 
controlled. I have repeatedly declared to you that the govern¬ 
ment and people of the United States desire peace—desire your sin¬ 
cere friendship. Abandon, then, State prejudices; cease to be the 
sport of private ambition; and conduct yourselves like a great 
American nation. Abandon at once those old colonial habits, and 
learn to be truly free—truly republican. You may then soon 
attain prosperity and happiness, of which you possess all the ele¬ 
ments; but remember that you are Americans , and that your happi¬ 
ness i§ not to come from Europe. 




164 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


I desire, in conclusion, to say to you, with equal frankness, that, 
were it necessary, an army of one hundred thousand Americans 
would soon be among you; and that the United States, if forced to 
terminate, by arms, their differences with you, would not do it in 
an uncertain or precarious, or still less in a dishonorable manner. 
It would be an insult to the intelligent people of this country to 
doubt their knowledge of our power. 

The system of forming guerilla parties to annoy us, will, I assure 
you, produce only evils to this country, and none to our army, 
which knows how to protect itself, and how to proceed against 
such cut-throats; and if, so far from calming resentments and pas¬ 
sions, you try to irritate, you will but force upon us the hard ne¬ 
cessity of retaliation. In that event, you cannot blame us for the 
consequences which will fall upon yourselves. 

I shall march with this army upon Puebla and Mexico. I do not 
conceal this from you. From those capitals I may again address 
you. We desire peace, friendship, and union; it is for you to 
choose whether you prefer continued hostilities. In either case, be 
assured I will keep my word. 

Head-quarters of the Army, Jalaya , May 11, 1847. 


War Department, 
Washington , June 14, 1847, 

Sir: In my letter of the 17th ultimo, I sent you several printed 
copies of the seventeenth section of u An act to make provision for 
an additional number of general officers, and for other purposes,” 
and requested that measures might be taken to secure the benefits 
of that section to the non-commissioned officers and privates en¬ 
titled to them. When that letter was written, I was under the im¬ 
pression that the means by which the President is to acquire the 
information, to satisfy him that privates have so conducted them¬ 
selves as to be entitled to certificates, were not indicated in the act 
of Congress. Upon a more careful examination of that act, it is 
believed that this is not correct. By virtue of the terms u in like 
manner ,” used in reference to granting these certificates, it has been 
determined that they are to be issued by the President, on the u re- 
commendation of the commanding officer of the regiment” to which 
the privates belonged; and it is very questionable whether he can 
issue them without such recommendation. It is therefore proper, 
that those who may consider themselves entitled to the distinction 
of a certificate and the allowance of extra pay, should be informed 
of the construction given to the act, that the recommendations of 
the commanding officer of the regiment is deemed necessary. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding United States army , Mexico. 

P. S. As the duties, in relation to the trade, and the collection of 






Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


165 


duties as contributions at the ports of Yera Cruz and Tampico, have 
been devolved upon the governors of those places, and they have 
communicated with me on the subject, my reply and suggestions 
relating thereto have been directly addressed to them. 


War Department, 

June 15, 1847. 

'Sir: I have received your letter of the 20th of May, and regret 
to learn that you have been disappointed in your expectations, in 
regard to receiving supplies and munitions from the depot at Yera 
Cruz. This disappointment was caused, as appears by the last pa¬ 
ragraph in that letter, by the failure of the arrangement made with 
persons who engaged to accompany the train as teamsters. 

I have received, and laid before the President, the copy of your 
proclamation to the Mexican nation of the 11th of May. The con¬ 
siderations you have presented to the people of Mexico, as induce¬ 
ments to them to wish for peace, and to concur in measures for the 
accomplishment of that desirable object, are well selected and ably 
enforced. As it could not have been your design to enter into a 
full discussion of the causes which led to the war, it is not to be 
taken as an authoritative exposition of the views of the Executive 
in this respect, but he regards it as a document containing u topics 
and sentiments the most likely to find a response in the bosoms of 
the Mexicans, and to promote the cause of justice, moderation, and 
peace. 5 ’ Such were properly the scope and end of the proclama¬ 
tion, and most ably have they been carried out. 

You again advert to the subject presented in your letter of the 
7th ultimo to Mr. Trist, and appear still to be laboring under an 
unaccountable misconception in regard to it. My letter of the 31st 
of May (a copy of which I herewith transmit) presents this matter 
in its true light. It will show you how far you have mislead your¬ 
self, and how causelessly you have indulged in complaints, better 
characterized as reproofs, againstthe President and thi department. 
The President would not have deemed it proper that I should 
advert again to this subject, but for the apprehension he has that 
your course may obstruct the measures he has taken to procure a 
peace. It does not appear, from any communication made by you 
to this department, that you have executed, or attempted to execute, 
the order which you have received, to forward the despatch from 
the Secretary of State addressed to the Mexican secretary of foreign 
affairs. The President is, however, unwilling to believe that you 
have not done your duty in this respect. If it has not been sent, 
he presumes that you have not been able to send it, and that you 
will in due time explain the causes which compelled you to detain it. 

My letter, taken by itself, neither sustains or excuses such an in¬ 
terpretation as you have given to it; and, taken in connexion with the 
facts which Mr. Trist was directed to communicate to you, and 
which it was expected would have been communicated with that 
letter, shows how idle it is to imagine that there was any attempt 





166 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


to place you “under the military command of Mr. Trist,” or that you 
were “required to respect the judgment of Mr. Trist here (in 
Mexico) on passing events purely military, as the judgment of the 
President, who is some two thousand miles off.” The respect due 
to yourself, as well as that due to the President, who had placed 
you in chief command of our armies in Mexico, should have made 
you extremely reluctant to adopt such a conclusion, even on ade¬ 
quate proof of the fact; and to me it seems, as I am sure it will 
appear to others, strange indeed, that you have been able to extract 
any such inference from my letter. You and Mr. Trist are both 
functionaries of the government of the United States, with impor¬ 
tant public interests confided to each in his respective sphere of 
action; cordial co-operation was expected, duty imposed it, the pub¬ 
lic good, the cause of humanity, demanded it. If there has been a* 
failure in this respect, and from the tenor of your despatch the Pre¬ 
sident fears there has been, a high responsibility rests somewhere. 

In relation to the direction for an armistice, or the suspension of 
hostilities, the President, after duly considering all you have said 
on the subject, does not doubt that it was an order proper and right 
for him to give, and consequently one which you were bound to 
obey. He sincerely regrets your strange misapprehension of it; 
and he is wholly unable to conceive how you can reconcile with 
duty and subordination the making of it a topic of remark, I may 
say, of incidental reproof of your common superior in an official 
communication to a subordinate officer in another branch of the 
public service. 

The information, recently received here, has caused a painful ap¬ 
prehension that Colonel Sours, who was bearer of despatches from 
this department to you, was murdered between Yera Cruz and Ja- 
lapa. I herewith send copies of the communications from this de¬ 
partment which were intrusted to him. 

Yerv respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding United States army ) Mexico. 

N. B. The following is an extract from a copy of an official letter, 
purporting to have been written by you to Lieutenant Semmes of 
the navy, dated head-quarters, Jalapa, May 9, 1847. 

[EXTRACT.] 

“ But there is at hand another functionary, who, under very recent 
instructions from the President of the United States, may perhaps 
claim to supersede me, in the business of exchanging prisoners of 
war, as in other military arrangements. Mr. Trist, chief clerk of 
the Department of State, appointed minister or commissioner to 
Mexico, has arrived at Yera Cruz, and may be at this place with 
the train expected up in a few days. Perhaps you had better refer 
the business of your mission to him. I only make the suggestion.” 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


167 


War Department, 
Washington , March 14, 1848. 

Sir: In one of my letters to General Scott, ^called for by a late 
resolution of the House of Representatives,) there is a quotation 
from a letter of the general to Lieutenant Semmes, of the navy. 
It is deemed, by the President, but fair towards General Scott, 
that the whole correspondence on the matter, to which the quota¬ 
tion in my letter relates, should be sent to Congress. I therefore 
request to be furnished with it for that purpose. The correspond¬ 
ence related to measures taken for the release of Lieutenant 
Rogers, of the United States navy. 

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Hon. J. Y. Mason, 

Secretary of the Navy. 


Navy Department, 

March 15, 1848. 

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 
of the 14th instant, and, in compliance with your request, transmit 
to you copies of the correspondence on file in this department to 
which you refer. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient ser¬ 
vant, 

J. Y. MASON. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


Papers furnished by the Navy Department , in compliance with the 
foregoing request. 

Navy Department, 

March 27, 1847. 

Sir: Transmitted herewith, are copies of letters received at this 
department from James Rogers, esq., dated the 21st and 25th in¬ 
stant, in reference to the captivity of his son, Passed Midshipman 
Robert C. Rogers, by the Mexican authorities. 

Your earnest and immediate attention is invited to the case of 
Midshipman Rogers, and the seamen in captivity with him. There 
is no principle of the laws of nations on which Mr. Rogers can be 
regarded as a spy. As an officer of the navy, he was attached on 
duty to one of our national vessels of war operating against Mex¬ 
ico, as a public enemy. He was engaged in a reconnoissance, 
with the insigna on his person, which afforded full evidence of his 
character of an officer of the United States navy. And you will 

_ 






168 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


make known, if you find it necessary to secure to Mr. Rogers the 
treatment due to him as a prisoner of war, and in such mode as 
shall not be deemed offensive as a menace, that the punishment of 
this young officer as a spy, will be regarded as an unjust departure 
from the humane interpretation of the laws of war, adopted by all 
civilized nations, and will be met by the severest retaliation. The 
kind and liberal treatment extended to our officers and men who 
have had the misfortune to fall into the hands of the Mexican forces, 
and which, without boast, I may state has been fully recipro¬ 
cated towards their officers and men, prisoners with us, does not 
permit me to expect that the Mexican government will make a 
cruel and unjust exception in the case of Mr. Rogers. But the 
President deems it his duty to urge the case on your immediate at¬ 
tention, that the anxieties of his friends may be relieved. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. Y. MASON. 

Commodore M. C. Perry, 

Commanding U. S. naval forces. Gulf of Mexico. 


Booth Hurst, 

Near Newcastle , March 21, 1847. 

Sir: I beg leave to express to you my thanks for the extract 
from the despatch from Commodore Connor to the depart¬ 
ment, and the letter from Doctor Wright, transmitted to me 
with your note under date of the 12th instant. The expecta¬ 
tions expressed in each of them that my son would be soon released 
from his captivity, relieved myself and his friends of much anx¬ 
iety. But the mail of this day has brought me intelligence very 
unfavorable in its aspect. Short extracts from two of the letters, 
and also others previously received, I ask permission to lay before 
you. 

Doctor Wright, under date of February 21st, says: 

u The enclosed note from your son, addressed to me, will give 
you intelligence of his having been ordered to Perote. I also have 
learned, from other sources, that he left Yera Cruz on the day spe¬ 
cified, or the day after—the 15th or 16th. We have no hint of the 
occasion for this rigor, and are left to conjecture.” 

Extract of a letter from my son. 

“Quartel del Regt’s. No. 2, 
u Vera Cruz , February 15, 1847. 

* The fact of my being a prisoner, will readily suggest an 
excuse for the shortness of my letters. My opportunities for wri¬ 
ting are those of chance. This must be brief, for I have just re¬ 
ceived marching orders for Perote. I must confess that my im¬ 
pressions of this place, derived from the accounts of persons who 
have visited it in my capacity, are not of the most favorable char- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


169 


acter. But, in spite of these pre-conceptions, I welcomed my or¬ 
ders with much pleasure; for any change will be preferable to my 
present confinement, which has been irksome in the extreme for 
some days past. 

“A change of governors brought a difference in my treatment, 
corresponding to their respective characters. Formerly,! was per¬ 
mitted to take exercise, and the salutary refreshment of the bath, 
under the charge of Colonel Caranova, and to see my English 
friends. But, latterly, I have been confined to one apartment, and 
denied intercourse with all. I have endured the rigors of my situ¬ 
ation with tolerable fortitude, and preserved an equable temper, 
my temptations to irrascibility to the contrary notwithstanding. 
Whether, in the situation to which I am about to be removed, there 
will be greater or less demand for the support of philosophy, is 
soluble alone by absolute experience. 

i( I have received a letter from General La Vega, who is in Mex¬ 
ico, saying, that he will exert his influence to have me liberated, 
or sent to Jalapa—certainly a more agreeable place than Perote. 
It is written very kindly and commiseratingly. He addresses me 
as his u dear friend, 55 and asks me to apply to him for anything 
that I may wish, or in any strait that I may be placed. I hope 
much advantage from his great influence and reputed sincerity. 

u So you see that I can say nothing in reference to freedom from 
my ‘durance vile. 5 I may receive it soon, or it may not be fo 
long, long months. What adds to the pain of my position, is, the 
anxiety of mother—her constant self-torturing fancies and imagi¬ 
nary evils. I deem myself safe from physical violence. If I am 
not really so, w r hat avails complaint? I am sure that I can man¬ 
fully suffer the worst that the enemy can inflict. 

u It is my duty to tell you that my case is yet before a tribunal. 
I was not aware of this until informed by General La Vega. When 
they will render their decision, it is impossible to say; for delay is 
peculiarly their national characteristic. At first they were for 
shooting me. I was denounced as a spy by the press of the city, 
and the belligerent editors demanded the penalty from the govern¬ 
ment. 

“ This will be my last letter for some time to come. My re¬ 
moteness from all lines of communication, and the special orders 
against my sending or receiving letters, will prevent me from ap¬ 
prising you of my well-being. 

“ This vicissitude may return me to you a better, a wiser man— 
one who has found the jewel from adversity, and who has been tu¬ 
tored by experience. May my tears now be my baptism and spon¬ 
sors for the future. 55 

Extract from a letter dated December 25. 

“ I am undergoing a careful investigation. I was questioned as 
to my motives and object in coming on shore, and as to the uses of 
a small compass and spy-glass in my possession. My replies were 
amusing when I consented to answer, and just as vague and farci- 




170 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


cal as possible. I told them I should answer nothing, except when 
it suited me; and that if they hoped to derive any knowledge of my 
movements, and those of the squadron, from me, they w^ould be 
disappointed. They brought one of the crew of the Creole, to re¬ 
cognise whether I assisted at her destruction. He said I was one 
of the party—information I was willing they should possess. I as¬ 
serted to them, I was captured in the uniform of an officer, and 
this fact alone was all they should know from me. I am told the 
attorney general has transmitted his opinion to the government, 
and I now await its decision.” 

Extract from a letter dated January 17, 1847. 

a My situation was, at first, critical; for the advising power de¬ 
cided me a spy. The commander-in-chief overruled this decision, 
and reference was made to the president. 

u Although I cannot complain of a want of personal kindness, 
yet I feel that this government has not treated me with that cour¬ 
tesy that is ever due an officer in my situation. It is an inexcusa¬ 
ble harshness to confine me so long; to deprive me of all liberty, 
and leave me unprovided with the common necessaries of life. Gen¬ 
eral Landero told me yesterday, that I would very soon be liber¬ 
ated on parole, or sent in the interior, where I would be unre¬ 
strained until exchanged.” 

As a parent, I cannot do less than I now do, to make known to 
the proper department of the government the material facts which 
are to be gathered from the preceeding extracts. In relation to his 
capture, it is certain he was taken in an open act of war, command¬ 
ing an armed party, and in uniform, with side-arms. It is also cer¬ 
tain he has been placed upon trial before a civil tribunal , which has 
made an adverse decision upon a question, which, if carried out, 
would reach his life; and he is now informed, from an authentic 
source, this outrage upon his rights is still hanging over him, yet 
in suspense. 

It is true, Commodore Conner, as well as himself, has received 
assurrance of an early liberation. But another commandant, Gen¬ 
eral Morales, comes into power, (as stated in one of his letters,) 
and my son is subjected to unusual severity in his imprisonment, 
and sent, with the seaman Fox, to the castle of Perote, under strong 
guard, to be held in close confinement. This would disturb me but 
little, except from its connection with the other matters —a trial 
and conviction by a civil tribunal , now unreversed. 

In conclusion, I beg leave to say there is involved in these 
extraordinary proceedings, matters of high importance to all who 
bear arms, and which have claims upon the government entirely 
apart from the case of the humble individual whose honor and safe¬ 
ty are as dear to me as life itself. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

JAMES ROGERS. 

To the Hon. John Y. Mason, 

Secretary of the JYavy. 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


171 


Booth Hurst, 

Near Newcastle , March 25, 1847. 


Sir: I herewith enclose a letter, received yesterday, which, in 
connection with the extracts in my communication to you of the 
21st instant, shows the critical condition of my son; and that the 
Mexican authorities have now shut out all conclusion, that he is 
held as a prisoner of war. 

The influence of deep family distress leaves me nothing to say, 
except to express an earnest hope, in the language of the resolu¬ 
tions of the legislature of his native State, u that the power of the 
United States may be immediately interposed to protect him from 
outrage, and to procure his early and honorable release.” 

I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, 

JAMES ROGERS. 


The Hon. John*Y. Mason, 

Secretary of the Navy. 


Washington City, March 23, 1847. 

Sir : In answer to your letter of yesterday, which reached me 
this morning, I beg to state that on my return from Mexico to 
Jalapa I learned that Mr. Rogers had been transferred to the fort¬ 
ress of Perote. On my arrival at Yera Cruz, 26th February last, I 
enquired from the commanding general the reasons which had in¬ 
duced him to send Mr. Rogers to that fortress, and his answer was, 
that it had been in consequence of an order from the supreme 
government. But he informed me, at the same time, that, having 
since received orders from the government to continue the trial of 
Mr. Rogers, that he had on that same day written to the governor 
of Perote to again return him to Yera Cruz. At the request of the 
commander and officers of the revenue cutter Forward, as well as 
from my own feeling in behalf of your brother, I solicited for him 
the kindest treatment, and General Morales, the commanding gen¬ 
eral of Yera Cruz, who is a particular friend of mine, promised me 
that he would be well attended to—of which I am quite certain, 
knowing, as I do, the honorable and generous disposition of this 
gentleman. 

I believe that it will be attempted to try Mr. Rogers as a spy, 
but my impression and that of many others is, that he will be ac¬ 
quitted. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

A. Y. N. ATOCHA. 

William H. Rogers, Esq., 

Wilmington , Delaware. 





172 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


U. S. Flag Ship Mississippi, 
Anton Lizardo , April 29, 1847. 


Sir : As an earnest of my desire to carry out the wishes of the 
President and yourself, in regard to Passed Midshipman Rogers, I 
have despatched Lieutenant R. Semmes, as a special messenger, to 
Mexico, to demand, in person, the release of Mr. Rogers. 

The accompanying copies of papers relating to the subject, will 
fully explain my object in sending Lieutenant Semmes. 

With great respect, I am, sir, your most obedient servant, 

M. C. PERRY, 
Commanding home squadron. 


Hon. John Y. Mason, 

Secretary of the JVavy. 


U. S. Frigate Raritan, 
Anton Lizardo , April 27, 1847. 


Sir : In obedience to your verbal instructions, I proceeded, 
yesterday afternoon, to the city of Yera Cruz, and had an interview 
with Colonel Wilson, of the United States army, the governor of 
the city, and afterwards with General La Vega. 

Upon my mentioning to the former your desire of sending me to 
the city of Mexico, to effect the exchange of Passed Midshipman 
Rogers, he politely offered to do everything in his power to forward 
your views and put me in communication with General Scott. He 
called with me on Quartermaster Hetzel, and it was arranged that 
I should be provided with a couple of horses and an escort of twen¬ 
ty mounted men, if possible ; but if, from any unforeseen cause, it 
should be impossible to furnish a special escort, I was to start with 
the first wagon train. 

From General La Yega I learned that Passed Midshipman Rogers 
was, at last accounts, at Puebla—he having been recently removed 
thither, from Perote. His case is in the hands of the federal gov¬ 
ernment, and has been referred to a military commission, which, as 
yet, has made no decision. 

I informed General La Yega of the determination of our govern¬ 
ment to demand his release, and, in the event of this not being ac¬ 
ceded to, to*retaliate upon any Mexican prisoners that might be in 
our power, the same treatment which Mr. Rogers should receive at 
the hands of his countrymen. He replied that he was one of those 
who had not regarded Mr. Rogers as a spy; that he had no appre¬ 
hensions for his safety, and that his life was perfectly secure. He 
says the proper person to whom to address your despatch on the 
subject, will be the minister of foreign relations, Senor Don Manuel 
Baranda. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. SEMMES, 
Lieutenant. 


Commodore M. C. Perry, 

Com. home squadron , U. S. steamer Mississippi. 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


173 


U. S. Flag Ship Mississippi, 

Anton Lizardo , April 27, 1847. 

Your Excellency: I am instructed by the Secretary of the Navy, 
and, through him, by the President of the United States, to invite 
the immediate attention of the Mexican government to the case of 
Passed Midshipman Robert C. Rogers, of the United States navy, 
now understood to be held in close confinement by the military au¬ 
thorities of Mexico. 

When Mr. Rogers was made prisoner, he was attached to the Uni¬ 
ted States brig Somers, one of the vessels of war engaged at the 
time in the blockade of Yera Cruz, and operating against Mexico 
as a public enemy. Whilst thus engaged, he landed on the Mexi¬ 
can shore, near to Yera Cruz, for the purpose of reconnoissance, 
having the ulterior object, undoubtedly, of inflicting injury on 
Mexico; but without concert with, and having no treasonable inten¬ 
tion of corrupting any Mexican citizen. As proof of the integrity 
of his intentions, he went in no feigned character; he had on his 
person the proper arms and uniform of an officer, and was accom¬ 
panied by armed companions. 

Under these circumstances, the pretension of the Mexican gov¬ 
ernment to hold him in rigorous confinement and to try him as a 
spy, has no sanction in any recognized law; among civilized nations. 
And it can in no respect be submitted to by the President of the 
United States, who has instructed me, through the Secretary of the 
Navy, to announce his intention to resort to the severest retalia¬ 
tion, unless Mr. Rogers shall be promptly placed on the footing of 
a prisoner of war, and as such held entitled to an early exchange. 

But the President of the United States indulges the hope that * 
there may be no necessity to resort to any such rigorous proceeding 
on his part. The kind and liberal treatment extended to others of 
our officers and men who have been made prisoners by your forces, 
and which has been fully reciprocated by us towards those Mexi¬ 
cans who have fallen into our hands, leads the President to expect 
that the Mexican government will not make a cruel and unjust ex¬ 
ception in the case of Mr. Rogers. 

The urgency with which my attention has been called to this sub¬ 
ject, has induced me to send a special messenger, Lieutenant Ra¬ 
phael Semmes, late commander of the United States brig Somers, 
who w r ill have the honor of handing your excellency this commu¬ 
nication, and by him I hope to receive a prompt and favorable 
reply. 

With great respect, I have the honor to subscribe myself your 
most obedient servant, 

M. C. PERRY, 

Commander-in-chief U. S. naval forces , 

Coast of the United States , West Indies and Gulf of Mexico. 

To his excellency Don Manuel Baranda, 

Minister of Foreign Relations 

of the supreme government of Mexico. 


174 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


U. S. Flag Ship Mississippi, 

Anton Lizardo , April 28, 1847. 

Sir: Having been made fully acquainted with the intentions of 
the United States government, respecting the position in which 
Passed Midshipman R. C. Rogers has been placed by the Mexican 
authorities, and of the object of the mission with which you have 
been intrusted, I have to direct that you proceed with all practica¬ 
ble despatch to the head-quarters of General Scott, and after de¬ 
livering into his hands the communication addressed to him, take 
his instructions as to the most advisable means for you to adopt to 
enable you to present, in person, the despatch addressed to the min¬ 
ister of foreign relations of Mexico, a course which I should pre¬ 
fer; or, if it be impracticable for you to penetrate safely to the seat 
of government, to take such measures as to secure the safe and 
speedy delivery of the despatch to the functionary to whom it is 
addressed; in which latter alternative you will forward it, with a 
communication from yourself, notifying your intention of waiting 
at the head-quarters of the army for the reply. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

M. C. PERRY, 
Commanding Home Squadron. 

Lieutenant Raphael .Semmes, 

U. S. Navy. 


U. S. Flag Ship Mississippi, 

Anton Lizardo , April 28, 1847. 

Sir: I have received instructions from the Secretary of the Navy, 
under date the 27th ultimo, directing me, in the name of the Pres¬ 
ident, to protest against the unjust and cruel pretension of the 
Mexican government to hold Passed Midshipman Robert C. Rogers 
in rigorous confinement, and to try him as a spy; and I am in¬ 
structed to signify the intention of the President to resort to the 
severest measures of retaliation, unless that young officer is imme¬ 
diately placed upon the footing of a prisoner of war, and as such 
held entitled to an early exchange. 

The urgency of the order to carry out these instructions, in the 
most prompt and expeditious manner, has induced me to despatch 
my communication (a copy of which is enclosed) by a special mes¬ 
senger, and Lieutenant Raphael Semmes, late commander of the 
Somers, to which Mr. Rogers belonged, has been entrusted with the 
duty. 

He has instructions to apply to you for the proper means of pla¬ 
cing him in communication with the advanced posts of the enemy, 
that he may pass on to the present seat of the Mexican government, 
if so permitted; there to present, in person, the .demand for the re¬ 
lease of Mr. Rogers. 

I shall be greatly obliged if you will give the necessary orders 
for advancing Lieutenant Semmes safely on his way; and I would 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


175 


respectfully suggest whether, in the event of failure of the object 
of the mission of Lieutenant Semmes, the release of Mr. Rogers 
may not be stipulated for in whatever terms of capitulation or ex¬ 
change of prisoners that may next be entered into with the enemy. 

With great respect, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, 

M. C. PERRY, 
Commanding Home Squadron. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

General-in-chief U. S. Army. 


United States Flag Ship Mississippi, 

Sacrificios , May 27, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to inclose, herewith, copies of a corres¬ 
pondence growing out of the mission of Lieutenant Semmes to ob¬ 
tain the release from imprisonment of Passed Midshipman Rogers. 
With great respect, I am, sir, your most obedient servant, 

M. C. PERRY, 
Commanding Home Squadron. 

To Hon. John Y. Mason, 

Secretary of the Navy , Washington , D. C. 


» 


Jalapa, May 5, 1847. 

Sir: I left the city of Vera Cruz, on my way to the city of 
Mexico, in obedience to your instructions, on the 30th ultimo. I 
was accompanied by an escort of twenty mounted Tennessee rifles, 
who were placed at my disposal by Colonel Wilson, the governor 
of Vera Cruz. As the colonel had been obliged to despatch, some 
eight or ten hours previously, a train of sixty wagons, with an 
escort of but forty men, he requested me to continue with this 
train, upon coming up with it, as far as in my judgment it might 
be necessary for its protection—a guerrilla party having attacked 
a train a few days previously, and killed and w ounded several of our 
men. I overhauled the train, a few hours after my departure, at the 
small village of Santa Fe, and continued with it for two days, un¬ 
til we reached the Puente Nacional. Having met with no acci¬ 
dent or obstruction up to this point, I deemed it unnecessary to re¬ 
main longer with it, and pushed on with my escort for this place, 
where I arrived on the evening of the 3d instant. The train has 
since come in in safety. 

I had an interview with General Scott soon after my arrival, to 
whom I presented your despatch, and further explained, in conver¬ 
sation, your wishes, and those of the government, in regard to the 
'early exchange of Passed Midshipman Rogers. The general was 
of opinion that it would be impossible for me to proceed to Mexico, 
in advance of the army, without a strong escort of cavalry, even 
if I should go under a flag of truce; the lawless banditti on the 




176 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


road, under the name of guerrillas, paying no respect to anything 
but the sword. He was to move forward himself, he said, in a 
few days, and, as he could not spare me an escort, my only alterna¬ 
tive was to accompany him. He promised me that, when he should 
arrive within a reasonable distance of the Mexican government, he 
would put me in communication with it, either by sending me for¬ 
ward personally, under a flag and escort, or, if this could not be 
done, by forwarding my despatch to the proper officer. I shall 
accordingly remain with the army during its march, and will avail 
myself of the first opportunity that presents itself of carrying out 
your orders. 

In the mean time, it gives me pleasure to state, for the informa¬ 
tion of the friends of Mr. Rogers, that he is at present in the city 
of Mexico, where he is well treated, and that through the kind in¬ 
tervention of Mr. Hargous, an American citizen now here, he is 
supplied with funds necessary for his comfort. 

General Worth, in command of the advance guard of the army, 
is still at Perote, waiting to be joined by General Scott previous 
to a further advance. Two or three of his companies occupy an 
out post at a small town (Yireyes) some fifteen or twenty miles on 
the road towards Puebla. General Scott will move forward in a few 
days. He is on the point of discharging seven regiments of old 
volunteers,Whose terms of service will expire in a few weeks. 
His force (after leaving garrisons at this place and Perote) will be 
reduced to about six thousand men; and it is not at all certain that 
he will be able to reach the city of Mexico with so small a num¬ 
ber. He will, at all events, march upon Puebla, and await reinforce¬ 
ments there, should it be necessary. But for the necessity of dis¬ 
charging these volunteers, he would certainly have been in the 
capital in fifteen days from the present time. 

The Mexican government has not removed to Celaya, as you had 
been informed previous to my leaving, but is still at its post in 
the city of Mexico. Although the battle of Cerro Gordo was a 
terrible blow to them, as they openly confess in the public prints 
of the capital, they are not, as they say, disheartened, but are de¬ 
termined to oppose us to the last. 

They *are making n-rW efforts to raise an army, and are preparing 
to give us another battle at the city of Mexico. I will keep you 
informed of my movements from time to time, and give you such 
news of the movements of the army, and the state of the country, 
as I think will be of interest to you. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. SEMMES, Lieutenant . 

Commodore M. C. Perry, 

Commanding Home Squadron , Vera Cruz. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


177 


Jalapa, May 10, 1847. 

Sir: I addressed you a communication on the 5th instant, in¬ 
forming you that General Scott had. declined giving me an escort, 
on the ground that he was deficient in cavalry, but that he had sig¬ 
nified his willingness that I should accompany the army until it 
should reach some point near the city of Mexico, when he would 
either put me in personal communication with the government or 
send forward my despatches. 

To my great surprise, I was waited on yesterday morning by 
General Scott’s aid, who informed me on the part of the general, 
that there could be no reason for my remaining longer with the 
army, as the general had resolved that no one could have commu¬ 
nication with the Mexican government but himself; and that 
consequently I could not present my despatch, personally or 
otherwise, to the functionary to whom it is addressed. I im¬ 
mediately accompanied the aid to head-quarters and requested an 
interview with the general, which was somewhat abruptly denied 
me. I then sat down and addressed him a letter, a copy of which 
is enclosed, marked A. To this I received a reply, of which B, 
also enclosed, is a copy. General Scott having abandoned, in this 
letter, the untenable and extraordinary position assumed by him, 
that the government of the United States could hold no intercourse 
with Mexico, except through himself, I shall, (though to all appear¬ 
ances an unwelcome intruder,) in obedience to your orders, ad¬ 
vance with the army until my despatch is delivered and I receive 
a reply. I had no authority from you to submit to the inspection 
of General Scott a copy of your communication to the Mexican 
government, but I did so to deprive him of any reason for his con¬ 
duct that might possibly have been drawn from the allegation that 
your despatch might have had some bearing on his military opera¬ 
tions. I wished to present to him the naked question, whether he 
was ready to assume the responsibility of turning back a despatch 
written to the Mexican government, by the order of the President 
of the United States, and more especially when tliat despatch had 
no reference whatever to his military operations, on the ground 
that the President could choose no other channel of communica¬ 
tion than himself. 

General Worth advances to-day upon Puebla; the citizens and 
the few military who are there having made every preparation for 
his pacific reception. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. SEMMES, Lieutenant. 

Commodore M. C. Perry, 

Com. in Chief , Home Squadron , Vera Cruz. 


12 


178 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


A. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa , May 8, 1847. 

General: I understood you to say, in the conversation I had the 
honor to hold with you, on the evening of my arrival at this place, 
that although you had no escort then at your command, with which to 
forward me to the city of Mexico, in the execution of my mission, 
I might continue with the army in its progress, and that when you 
should reach some convenient point near the city, you would either 
put me in personal communication with the government or send 
forward my despatches. 

I have this morning been waited upon by Lieutenant Williams, 
your aid-de-camp, who informs me in your behalf, that you have 
changed your resolution on this point, and that you will not per¬ 
mit me to hold any intercourse with the Mexican government. 

Commodore Perry has been charged by the President of the 
United States to make a communication to the government of 
Mexico, with the nature of which you have been made acquainted. 
He has selected me as his agent to carry out the views of the Pre¬ 
sident, and has directed me to apply to you for the means of exe¬ 
cuting his orders. 

With regard to the question as to who is the proper channel 
through which this communication is to be made, I can, of course, 
have nothing to say: that must be settled by higher authority; but 
the President has thought proper to judge of this for himself, and 
I am here by authority (mediately) of one of the departments of 
the government, as his humble agent. I have specific orders, from 
my commander-in-chief, to place personally (with your assistance) 
my despatch in the hands of the minister of foreign relations, or if 
the Mexican government will not permit me to proceed to the ca¬ 
pital in person, to forward it by some safe conveyance, and await 
an answer. My object in addressing you this note, is to inquire 
whether I understand you as deciding that you will not (at your 
convenience) afford me the facilities requested of you by Commo¬ 
dore Perry, to enable me to proceed on my mission, and that you 
will not permit me to hold any intercourse, personal or otherwise,, 
with the Mexican government. If this be your decision, as a mil¬ 
itary man you must see the propriety of giving it to me in writing, 
in order that I may exhibit it to my commander-in-chief, as a suf¬ 
ficient reason for failing to execute his orders; as soon as I receive 
this, I shall hold myself in readiness to return to the squadron by 
the first conveyance. 

I enclose, for your inspection, my order in the premises from 
Commodore Perry, together with a copy of the despatch of that 
officer to the Mexican government, from which you will be able to 
see that my mission cannot have, in the remotest degree, any bear- 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 179 

ing upon your military operations. I will be obliged you to if you 
will return me these papers after perusal. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. SEMMES, 

Lieut. U. S. Navy. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding the Armies of the U. S. 


B. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Jalapa , May 9, 1847. 

Sir: I have read your note of yesterday, accompanied by Com¬ 
modore Perry’s instructions to you (original) and the copy of his 
communication to the Mexican minister of foreign affairs of which 
you have been made the bearer, in relation to Passed Midshipman 
Rogers, supposed by Commodore Perry still to be held by the Mex¬ 
ican government, not as a prisoner of war, but as a spy; and I had 
some days before received by your hands the letter Commodore 
Perry did me the honor to address to me on the same subject, re¬ 
questing that I would afford to you the proper means of placing 
you in communication with the advanced posts of the enemy, in 
order that you might, if permitted to pass to the seat of the Mexi¬ 
can government, and there to present in person, his demand for 
the release of Mr. Rogers. Commodore Perry adds in his commu¬ 
nication to me the suggestion, whether, in the event of a failure of 
your special mission, Mr. Rogers may not be released by capitula¬ 
tion, or exchanged, &c., &c. 

Premising that I have not as yet aidressed aline to any political 
functionary in Mexico, if, in fact, there be any government in the 
country, and that I have all along intended, at the proper time, to 
propose for the exchange of Passed Midshipman Rogers, with other 
Americans taken prisoners of war, in the northeastern part of this 
republic; I think myself, on information, though not official, au¬ 
thorized to say, that the whole of the papers you have brought to 
my notice have had their origin in misapprehension. Mr. Rogers 
for many weeks past has not been held a prisoner for any igno¬ 
minious act, but as an honorable prisoner of war, at large on pa¬ 
role within the city of Mexico. 

On taking leave of many of the higher Mexican prisoners of 
war, at Yera Cruz, I called their attention to the then reported 
confinement of Passed Midshipman Rogers, on the false allegation 
that he had been captured in the violation of the laws of war; and 
I added, in the most emphatic terms, if any hardship, injury, or 
punishment, should be sustained by Mr. Rogers on that false alle¬ 
gation, that I would inflict signal retaliation on the next Mexican 
officers whom the fortune of war should place in my power. 

Before the 15th ultimo, I had already heard, from whom I con¬ 
sidered creditable persons, that Mr. Rogers had been released from 



180 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


the castle of Perote, and sent up with a single Mexican officer, both 
on horseback, to the capital as a prisoner of war. This information 
was confirmed by several of the principal Mexican officers cap¬ 
tured at Cerro Gordo, and again and again since, by respectable 
travellers passing through this place from the capital. 

I regret that Commodore Perry has thought it necessary to send 
you as his special messenger, to treat with the Mexican govern¬ 
ment, on the subject of Mr. Rogers. Even if I had been ignorant 
of the capture and position of the passed midshipman, a note from 
the commodore would have been sufficient to have interested me 
officially and personally in his fate, and I doubt the expediency, 
of more than one channel of communication with the Mexican gov¬ 
ernment on such subjects. 

But here is at hand another functionary, who, under very recent 
instructions from the President of the United States, may perhaps 
claim to supersede me in the business of exchanging prisoners of 
war, as on other milit; ry arrangements. Mr. Trist, chief clerk of 
the Department of State, appointed minister or commissioner to 
Mexico, has arrived at Yera Cruz, and may be at this place with 
the train expected up in a few days. Perhaps you had better refer 
the business of your mission to him. I only make the suggestion. 

The difficulty of sending forward a flag of truce at this time 
with communications to the Mexican government, if there be a 
competent government anywhere, consists in the necessity of pro¬ 
tecting the flag, by a large escort, against rancheros or banditti, 
who infest the road all the way to the capital, ajid who rob and mur¬ 
der even wounded Mexican officers returning on parole to their 
friends. 

When nearer to the capital, sometime hence, I may nevertheless 
have occasion to communicate officially, under the cover of a flag 
and a heavy escort, with any body then that may be in authority, 
on the subject of prisoners of war generally. Your communica¬ 
tion, and any that Mr. Trist may desire to submit, may go by the 
same opportunity. In the meantime, you can remain here, return 
to Commodore Perry’s squadron, or advance with the army, as may 
seem to you best. I have no advice to offer on the subject. 

With high personal respect, I remain yours 5 truly, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Lieut. R. Semmes, 

United States Navy , &c., fyc. 


United States Flag-Ship Mississippi, 
Sacrificios , May 27, 1847. 

Sir: I have received your several letters of the 5th, 10th, and 
16th instants, with copies of your communication to General Scott, 
and his reply thereto, and I take pleasure in expressing my appro¬ 
bation of the course pursued by you. Continue to urge every 
practicable measure of effecting the object of your mission, con- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


181 


sistently with the most perfect respect and consideration for the 
high station of the distinguished officer at the head of the army. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

M. C. PERRY, 
Commanding home squadron. 

Lieut. R. Semmes, 

United States Navy , Jalapa. 


United States Flag-Ship Mississippi, 

Sacrijicios , May 27, 1847. 

Sir: I have received from Lieutenant Semmes, of the navy, a 
copy of a letter addressed by you to that officer, in reply to one 
from him. 

In your communication I regret to notice the words quoted as 
follows: (C I regret that Commodore Perry has thought it necessary 
to send you as his special messenger, to treat with the Mexican 
government on the subject of Mr. Rogers. Even if I had been 
ignorant of the capture and position of the passed midshipman, a 
note from the commodore would have been sufficient to have in¬ 
terested me officially and personally in his fate, and I doubt the 
expediency of more than one channel of communication with the 
Mexican government.” 

It is to be presumed that in penning the above paragraph you 
must have forgotten that Captain Aulick called upon you, on the 
eve of your departure from Yera Cruz, with a request from me 
that you would bear in special remembrance the situation of Mr. 
Rogers.—See enclosed extract of an official memorandum of Capt. 
Aulick, marked A. 

Since then, I have received positive instructions to urge, with 
becoming energy, upon the Mexican government, the necessity of 
the immediate release of Mr. Rogers; and I was careful to ascer¬ 
tain before the departure of Mr. Semmes, from an authentic source, 
the true situation of the prisoner. From General La Vega, to 
whom I directed Lieutenant Semmes to apply, I received informa¬ 
tion -which is contained in the enclosed extract, marked B. 

As to the expediency of having but one channel of communica¬ 
tion with the Mexican government, I have little to say. It was 
enough that the order came to me, through the Secretary of the 
Navy, from our common superior, the constitutional commander- 
in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and it would 
seem most proper that, as Mr. Rogers belonged to the navy, that I, 
as commander-in-chief of the naval forces operating in the gulf, 
acting entirely distinct and independent of your command, should 
be the chosen channel of communication with the Mexican govern¬ 
ment in his case, as in all matters connected with my exclusive 
command., The sending of Mr. Semmes by the way of your camp 



182 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

was purely a measure of expediency, that he might be facilitated 
on his journey. 

I am sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant, 

M. C. PERRY, 
Commanding home squadron. 

Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, 

General-in-chief United States army . 


A. 

Extract of an official memorandum from Captain Aulick. 

Monday, April 12. 

I also handed him (General Scott) the commodore’s letter, de¬ 
siring him to endeavor to obtain the release of Midshipman Rogers, 
confined in the castle of Perote, to which he replied that he would 
make it a point to do so at the earliest moment practicable. 

J. H. AULICK. 


B. 

April 27, 1847. 

From General La Vega, I learned that Passsed Midshipman 
Rogers was, at last accounts, at Puebla, he having been recently 
removed hither from Perote. His case is in the hands of the fed¬ 
eral government, and has been referred to a military commission, 
which as yet has made no decision. 

R. SEMMES, Lieutenant. 


Navy Department, 

June 21, 1847. 

Sir: Your despatch of the 27th of May, enclosing copies of a 
correspondence growing out of the mission of Lieutenant Semmes, 
to obtain the release of Passed Midshipman Rogers, has been re¬ 
ceived, and the course pursued by you in the matter is approved. 

It is not more gratifying to the department to witness the anxiety 
manifested by you and by Lieutenant Semmes to execute the orders 
in regard to Passed Midshipman Rogers, than to observe the cour¬ 
tesy and respect exhibited to the distinguished officer in command 
of the army. As no disrespect to that officer could be inferred, or 
was intended, by my orders to you, or by your mode of executing 
them, I have to hope, as I confidently expect, that nothing will oc¬ 
cur to justify his erroneous interpretation of the proceeding. 

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. Y. MASON. 

Commodore M. C. Perry, 

Commanding home squadron . 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 29. 


183 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Pziebla, June 4, 1847. 

Sir: I arrived here, with four troops of horse, on the 28th ulti¬ 
mo. Twiggs’s division came up the next day. 

I enclose, herewith, a copy of Brevet Major General Worth’s re¬ 
port, dated the 15th ultimo, (the original was intercepted by the 
enemy,) of an affair he had with General Santa Anna, at Amosoque, 
some eight miles from this place. 

The effective strength of this army has been surprisingly reduced. 
Besides the discharge of seven regiments and two independent com¬ 
panies of old volunteers, we hail to leave, in hospital, about 1,000 
men at Vera Cruz, as many sick and wounded at Jalapa, and 200 
sick at Per'ote. Here we have, on the sick report, 1,017. Not a 
corps has made a forced march, except in the pursuit after the 
battle of Cerro Gordo* and every possible attention has been given 
to the health of the troops. The general sickness may be attributed 
to several causes: 1. The great contrast in climates above and be¬ 
low Cerro Gordo; 2. The insufficiency of clothing, but little having 
arrived when the army marched from Vera Cruz, and 3. The want 
of salt meats, the troops not having had any oftener than one day 
in nine, since we reached the elevated country, as our insufficient 
means of transportation allowed us to bring up only small quanti¬ 
ties of bacon and no mess pork. The prevailing diseases have 
been chills and fevers, and diarrhoea. 

Making the further deductions of the killed and wounded, the 
garrisons of Vera Cruz, Jalapa, and Perote, and we have here but 
5,820 effective non-commissioned officers, artificers, musicans, and 
privates—a force evidently insufficient to garrison this large open 
city and to march upon the capital, where, or near it, we may pro¬ 
bably have to beat an indifferent army of from 12,000 to 25,000 
men. This we could do with 4,000, but at a loss, probably, of one- 
fourth of our number; whereas, with 8,000, our loss would not ex¬ 
ceed some 300. 

Not having heard of the approach of reinforcements from any 
quarter, not even of the 960 recruits for the old regiments, who 
were to embark at New York and Newport, Kentucky, I have at 
length determined to abandon Jalapa, and to bring up to the head 
of the army the garrison of that city, with a part of the garrison 
of Perote, in order to be in a better condition to advance upon and 
to occupy the capital.—See herewith my instructions of yesterday, 
to Colonel Childs, the governor and commander of Jalapa. 

It is ascertained that any sick or wounded men, left on the road 
or in small villages, would be certainly murdered by guerrilla par¬ 
ties, rancheros or banditti, and I am not absolutely certain that 
threats of punishment will render our hospitals safe even in large 
cities. The want of reinforcements, long promised and expected, 
has driven me to this painful experiment. 

The delay here, until about the 22d instant, may, however, be 
compensated by one important advantage: General Santa Anna has 


184 


Ex. Dqc. No. 56. 


renounced the presidency.—See his printed letter herewith. It is 
understood that a new government will be installed on the 15th 
instant, and there is good ground to hope under Herrera or Frias, 
both supposed to be desirous of peace with the United States. If 
we were previously to occupy the capital, the friends of peace 
(most of the leaders of the party belong to the capital) would be 
dispersed, or if they remained and organized, under our colors, 
their government would be denounced and decried as set up by this 
army, and lose all credit and weight, with the Mexican people. 

We are still much embarrassed by the want of money. But little 
can be obtained on drafts, this side of the capital, and we have not 
heard of the arrival of a dollar at Yera Cruz for this army. The 
attempt to subsist it, by living at free quarters, or on forced con¬ 
tributions, would be the end of military operations. 

I take the liberty to enclose a copy of my rejoinder to Mr. Trist. 
No doubt he has forwarded a copy of his most extraordinary epistle 
to me. To have such a flank battery planted against me, amidst 
critical military operations, is a great annoyance. 

Considering the many cruel disappointments and mortifications I 
have been made to feel, since I leit Washington, or the total want 
of support and sympathy, on the part of the War Department, 
which I have so long experienced, I beg to be recalled from this 
army, the moment that it may be safe for any person to embark at 
Yera Cruz ; which, I suppose, will be early in November. Probably 
all field operations will be over long before that time. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. Wm. L. MarcY, 

Secretary of War. 


Head-quarters, Puebla, May 15, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to report, for information of the general- 
in-chief, that the forces under my command, including the brigade 
of Major General Quitman, took military possession of this city at 
10 o’clock to day. 

Halting yesterday at Amosoque,to await the junction of General 
Quitman, (for which purpose I had shortened the marches of the 
leading brigades the two previous days,) I found my position sud¬ 
denly menaced, at 8 o’clock, a. m., by a large body of cavalry. 
This force approached somewhat stealthily by a road on our right, 
unknown to us. A rapid examination, as it unmasked itself, ex¬ 
hibited, as was supposed, some 2,000; but, 'from accurate informa¬ 
tion obtained here, 3,000 cavalry of the line, unsupported either by 
infantry or artillery, and moving a mile on our right and toward 
the rear, led to the conclusion that it w T as a ruse to attract atten¬ 
tion in that quarter, while the real attack was to be looked for on 
the high road in front, or a movement on General Quitman, who 
might have been supposed the usual day’s march in the rear. It 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


185 


was presently reported that a heavy column was actually approach¬ 
ing on the main road; thus it became necessary, while directing a 
portion of the force against the visible enemy, to guard our large 
train, reserve ammunition, &c., packed in the square, against the 
invisible. 

The 2d artillery, with a section of Duncan’s battery, under the 
brigade commander, Colonel Garland; the 6th infantry, under 
Major Bonneville, with Steptoe’s battery, was promptly moved 
and so directed as to take the enemy in flank; the head of his 
column having now reached a point opposite the centre of the 
town, and distant about half a mile. The batteries soon opened a 
rapid and effective fire. After some twenty-five rounds the entire 
column broke, without attempting a charge or firing a shot, and 
hastily fled up the sides of the convenient hills. Only one com¬ 
pany of infantry (of the 6th) was enabled, from distance, to deliver 
its fire. The broken column was seen to reunite and resume its 
march in direction of General Quitman’s approach. The 2d 
artillery and 8th infantry, with two sections of the light batteries, 
were put in its track, when the enemy again swerved to the left and 
disappeared in the hills. Two miles distant General Quitman was 
met by the last named detachments. He had already discovered 
the enemy, of whose proximity their firing had admonished him, 
and promptly taken his order of battle. The discomfited enemy 
reached Puebla late at night, and evacuated the place at four in 
the morning. We took some prisoners and found a few dead. The 
enemy acknowledge a loss of 89 killed and wounded. General 
Santa Anna conducted the enterprise. 

Enclosed, marked A, is a copy of a-communication addressed, on 
the 12th, to the civil authorities of Puebla; again, marked C, on 
the 14th, with reply to the latter, marked D; also copy of circular, 
dated 9th, addressed to commanders of corps, to regulate their con¬ 
duct in certain contingencies on the march. 

It is understood the force which retired from this city the day 
before yesterday, and to-day, is to take post at Puenta del Tesma- 
luca, distant twelve leagues on the road to the capital, where it is 
proposed to fortify. Our reception was respectfully and coldly 
courteous, but without the slightest cordiality. Incessant occupa¬ 
tion has not allowed me a moment to look into the resources in 

way of supply; but Mr. - says breadstuff will be had in 

abundance, less of beef, and perhaps liberal quantity of small 
rations. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. J. WORTH, 

Brevet Major General , commanding. 

Captain Scott, A. A. A. G., 

Head-quarters of the Army , Jalapa. 


True copy: 


J. C. PEMBERTON, 
Captain , Aid-de-camp. 



186 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Puebla , May 29, 1847. 

Sir: Your long studied letters of the 9th and 20th instant, mak¬ 
ing 30 pages, in reply to my short note of the 7th, were handed to 
me, under one cover, at Jalapa, the morning of the 21st, when you 
knew, being on the spot, that I was about to march upon this place. 
Occupied, as I was, with business of much higher importance, I did 
not allow the seal of the package to be broken till the evening of 
the 22d, which I took care to have done in the presence of many 
staff officers. One of them, at my instance, read apart, and reported 
to me the general character of the papers. I have not yet read 
them. 

My first impulse was to return the farrago of insolence, conceit, 
and arrogance to the author; but, on reflection, I have determined 
to preserve the letters as a choice specimen of diplomatic literature 
and manners. The jacobin convention of France never sent to one 
of its armies in the field a more amiable and accomplished instru¬ 
ment. If you were but armed with an ambulatory guillotine you 
would be the personification of Danton, Marat, aud St. Just, all in 
one. 

You tell me that you are authorized to negotiate a treaty of 
peace with the enemy, a declaration which, as it rests upon your 
own word, I might well question; and you add that it was not in¬ 
tended at Washington that I should have anything to do with the 
negotiation. This I can well believe, and certainly have cause to 
he thankful to the President for not degrading me by placing me 
in any joint commission with you. 

From the letter of the Secretary of War to me, of the 14th 
ultimo, I had supposed you to be simply authorized to propose, or 
to concede to the enemy, the truce or armistice which usually pre¬ 
cedes negotiations for a peace; and my letter to you was written 
on that supposition. If the terms of military conventions are left 
to me, the commander of this army, I have nothing more to desire 
or to demand for its safety. 

In conclusion—for many persons here believe that the enemy, 
20,000 strong, is about to attack this place—I have only time to ask 
you, in your future communications to me, to be brief and purely 
official; for, if you dare to use the style of orders or instructions 
again, or to indulge yourself in a single discourteous phrase, I 
shall throw back the communication with the contempt and scorn 
which you merit at my hands. 

I remain, sir, officially, &c., 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To Nicholas P. Trist, Esq., #c.,4r c., fyc. 


GEO. W. RAINS, 
Lieutenant and Acting Aid-de-camp. 


A true copy: 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


187 


Head-quarters of the Army, 
Puebla , June 3, 1847. 

Sir: For this army to operate with effect, it has become neces¬ 
sary to abandon, for a time, Jalapa, and that its garrison should join 
general head-quarters. 

You will, therefore, take silent measures preparatory to bringing 
away with you the garrison, the w T ounded and sick, the ordnance 
and ordnance stores, and the depots of that city, as soon as the 
train of W'agons and ambulances, which I am about to send down 
to you, shall arrive. 

The wounded and sick are to be left, in route, in the castle of 
Perote. To remove them will be the great difficulty, demanding 
your utmost care and kindness. 

The number of wagons, &c., which will reach you in three or 
five days after this letter, may, I hope, be sufficient for that and the 
other purposes indicated; and should there be, as is feared, some 
individuals in hospital whose lives would be endangered by a jour¬ 
ney to Perote—involving two nights on the road—you will leave 
such individuals under the charge of a medical officer and the ne¬ 
cessary attendants. 

You will also put them in some consecrated place, under 
the safeguard of the church and civil authorities of the city, with 
the most solemn assurances given to each, that if the slightest in¬ 
jury should be inflicted on any individual of the party—the medi¬ 
cal officer, a wounded or sick man, or on any attendant left for their 
care—that I will not fail to return to Jalapa, and to punish the entire 
city in the most signal manner. Explain to all the rules of war in 
such cases. Military hospitals are universally regarded, by civil¬ 
ized enemies, as sacred. 

Neither must the city of Jalapa allow one of the party to be car¬ 
ried off, under any pretence whatever; for if carried off, the indivi¬ 
dual or individuals would certainly be murdered by lawless ran- 
cheros or banditti. 

And you may pledge the honor of the United States to pay lib¬ 
erally for any supply, attention or kindness given to the party. 
Any money you may command, for such necessary purposes, you 
will leave with the medical officer. 

Brigadier General Shields, I earnestly hope, will, before you 
commence your march, be in a condition to travel in an ambulance 
or litter. Wait upon him with my warm respects, and if he has 
not availed himself of the order I left with him, and I think it pro¬ 
bable he has not and cannot, offer him all the attentions in your 
power. Perhaps he may prefer to come up to the head of this 
army; but, if not strong enough to accompany it in its operations, 
he had better rest in the castle of Perote. 

Leaving the wounded and sick at Perote, you will take from that 
castle, with you, three additional companies, making six of the 1st 
Pennsylvania regiment, and all the convalescents there, belonging 
to corps here, who can be brought up with a prospect of their being 
effective on their joining me. 


188 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


For the 10-inch mortar left with you, a large Mexican drag or 
ten-mule wagon will be sent down to you. 

The depots of supplies, of every kind, at Jalapa, except such as 
you may deem necessary for the party in hospital, will be brought 
up with you, and, of course, the two 12-pounders, with their am¬ 
munition. 

I send you a map and memorial of the route from Perote to this 
place, which we found tolerably accurate. The leagues, marked, 
do not average more than two miles and a quarter each. Five, six 
or even seven of those leagues do not exceed an easy march. Your 
movements, in order to spare men and animals, need not be forced. 

If the companies or unattached recruits for the old regiments of 
this army, consisting of some 900 men, expected at Yera Cruz, 
about the time I left Jalapa, shall not have passed you, you may 
wait for them; and if either detachment has in charge money for 
this army, you will send it forward with an additional escort of 
Captains Merrill’s and Wheat’s cavalry, and one or more companies 
of foot of the garrison of Jalapa, as you may deem necessary. 

I further give you the. discretion of waiting at Jalapa a few 
days, for any other detachment of troops you may chance to learn 
to be at Yera Cruz, destined for this army, or to be in route between 
that city and Jalapa. 

I shall send down, with the empty wagons and ambulances, an es¬ 
cort of cavalry, and await, probably at this place, your arrival with 
great impatience. Nevertheless, you are not to make any forced 
effort to join me. 

I remain, sir, with great respect, yours truly, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To Colonel Childs, 

U. S. 1st artillery , Gov. and Com. of Jalapa. 

P. S. Besides one or two medical officers, according to the num¬ 
ber of wounded and sick you may be compelled to leave in hospi¬ 
tal at Jalapa, it will be necessary to leave two or three medical of¬ 
ficers at Perote. 

About two hundred Ambulances and wagons will be sent down to 
you, to leave here to-morrow. 


I certify on honor that the above is a true copy of the original. 

S. HAMILTON, 

2 d Lieutenant , 1st infantry , Acting A. JD. C. 


War Department, 
Washington, July 12, 1847. 

Sir: Since my letters of the 31st of May and 14th of June, 
pointing out your entire misapprehension in regard to the mission 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


189 


of Mr. Trist, so far as it was assumed by you to be an interference 
with your military command, a part of his communications to you, 
as well as your letter to him of the 29th of May, has been re¬ 
ceived. This correspondence discloses a state of things between 
yourself and him most deeply regretted, as it is much to be feared 
that your personal relations are such as may compromise the most 
important national interests. 

My previous letters on this subject, if received, must have con¬ 
vinced you of the groundlessness of your suspicions and the preci¬ 
pitancy of your conduct in this whole affair. You cannot fail to 
perceive that, so far from having cause to complain and indulge in 
disrespectful reproaches against your government, on account of 
this mission, the utmost care was taken to secure to ^ou all the 
rights and authority of your command, and to yield to all the pre¬ 
tensions you could properly set up as in anywise belonging to it. 

Regarding, as the President feels compelled to do, your course in 
this matter as the result of an, entire mistake as to the powers and 
duty of Mr. Trist, he regrets to perceive that the conduct of Mr. 
T., on the other hand, has not been free from error. 

No two agents of the government could have been charged with 
duties more distinct and non-conflicting; duties less likely to bring 
on personal collision, where any sort of communication was re¬ 
quired. To you was entrusted the conduct of military operations; 
to him, the business of negotiating a peace, if a favorable oppor¬ 
tunity should occur. Only a very limited official intercourse be¬ 
tween you and him was required, and that was of such a character 
as to preclude, as it was supposed, the possibility of any misun¬ 
derstanding. He was required, in the first place, to deliver to you 
a despatch from your government to the minister of foreign rela¬ 
tions of Mexico. When thus delivered, all his agency in regard to 
it was ended. It was committed to you to be forwarded; not 
even the President’s order to you to send it forward was communi¬ 
cated through him, but through this department. To this course 
the most over-wrought sensitiveness could not properly take the 
slightest exception. Your false alarm in regard to the powers of 
the commissioner, and the mis-step consequently taken—the first in 
the series of blunders—led him to interfere, in an unauthorized and 
improper manner, with an affair exclusively your own—the trans¬ 
mission of that despatch to the Mexican authorities. From this de¬ 
partment Mr. Trist had no instructions whatever, and I am well 
assured that he had none from the President or the State Department, 
relative to this despatch, beyond the simple direction to place it 
in your hands. Whatever he may have done further than barely 
delivering it to you, was unauthorized. In undertaking, as he ap¬ 
pears to have done, in his letter to you of the 20th of May, to be 
the medium through which orders to you were to be transmitted, 
he has assumed authority not conferred on him, and the act is 
disavowed and disapproved by the President. He had no authority 
to give you any order whatever. The only orders from your gov¬ 
ernment to you, relating to this subject, were issued through this 
department, and are contained in my despatches of the 14th of 


190 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


April, and these orders the President confidently expected you to 
execute. It is proper that I should say, in concluding my re¬ 
marks on this point, that the President trusts that you have disco¬ 
vered your mistake in returning the despatch to Mr. Trist; that you 
have withdrawn it from him, and executed the order to forward it 
from this department to the Mexican authorities. Should you re¬ 
ceive from these authorities an intimation of a willingness to enter 
upon negotiations, you will, as a matter of course, apprise Mr. 
Trist of that fact, and do what may be deemed proper to facilitate 
the conclusion of a peace. 

It is not expected that you still continue under your first strange 
delusion as to Mr. Trist’s instructions to interfere in any manner 
with your military operations. My previous letters, and the ex¬ 
tract furnished you from those instructions, must have put to flight 
all your misconceptions on that subject. The utmost extent of 
the commissioner’s authority, bearing on this point, was to give 
you written notice of the happening of a contingency on which a 
suspension of hostilities was to follow—not by Mr. Trist’s order— 
not by an order communicated through him—but by the order of 
the President, your superior officer, conveyed to you directly by the 
Secretary of War. 

This suspension of hostilities was not, as you saw fit to assume, 
to be a preliminary to, but to result from, negotiations conducted 
to a successful issue. Your course, on receiving the first commu¬ 
nication from Mr. Trist, shut you out, for a time at least, from the 
information which would have secured you from the false position 
in which you so precipitately placed yourself. You would have 
learned from Mr. Trist, if an interview with him had not been ob¬ 
structed, that the contingency, referred to in my letter, was a dis¬ 
tinct event—not an undefined condition of things, to be determined 
by discretion—it was a certain fact—the actual ratification of a 
definitive treaty of peace by the Mexican government, containing, 
in one of its articles, a stipulation.for the suspension of hostilities 
to follow immediately such ratification; and it should not be for¬ 
gotten, that it was the intention and expectation of your govern¬ 
ment, that you should be as well acquainted with what constituted 
that contingency as the commissioner himself, before you could be 
required to act in reference to it; for Mr. Trist was authorized, on 
arriving at your head-quarters, to show you his instructions, and 
the projet of the treaty he was empowered to make. Had you 
been less impetuous in taking umbrage at the course pursued in 
this matter, and less inclined to conclude, without the least war¬ 
rant for it, that your government intended disrespect to you, or 
was unmindful of what was due to the safety of the gallant army 
under your command, the dearest interests of the nation would not 
have been exposed to receive detriment from an ill-tempered per¬ 
sonal altercation between two high functionaries intrusted with 
important public concerns in a foreign country. 

As past errors must have been discovered, the President expects 
that false steps on both sides have been retraced, and that you and 
Mr. Trist are now co-operating, so far as co-operation is required, 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 191 

in your respective spheres of duty, to bring the war to a successful 
close by an honorable peace. 

Your letter from Puebla, of the 4th of June, has been received, 
and laid before the President. Considering that you had claimed, 
as a matter of right due to your superior rank, to be placed at the 
head of our armies in the field in a state of actual war, and had 
earnestly besought that position as a matter of favor, the ’ Presi¬ 
dent was not a little surprised that, after so brief a period of service, 
you should ask to be recalled. The grounds put forth for this 
change of purpose have not, probably, had with him the influence 
you expected. They are of such an extraordinary character as to 
claim a passing notice*. 

Of “the many cruel disappointments and mortifications I (you) 
have been made to feel since I (you) left Washington/ 5 you have 
omitted to specify a single one, and whether they are real or imagi¬ 
nary is left in great uncertainty. The sending of Mr. Trist to 
Mexico as a commissioner of peace, and the suspicion you cherished 
that you hatl been degraded by his being clothed with military 
authority to interfere with your rightful command, are, probably, 
prominent among these “cruel disappointments and mortifications. 55 
The exposition which has been made of that case shows the lament¬ 
able extent to which error may prevail in personal matters, where 
prejudice and suspicion preoccupy the mind. Should your other 
undisclosed “cruel disappointments and mortifications 55 be of a 
like unsubstantial character, as it is presumed they are, you may 
well conclude that they constitute no sufficient motive with the 
Presidents grant the indulgence you ask. 

I am unwilling to believe that the grave charge, that you have 
experienced so long “the total want of support and sympathy on 
the part of the War Department, 55 was thrown in as a provocative 
to ensure success to your application, and I certainly cannot con¬ 
cede that it rests on the slightest foundation of fact. In view of 
the vast diversity of human character, I ought not, perhaps, to be 
surprised at any extravagance of self-delusion; yet I should be so 
in this instance, if this is to be regarded as a well consider allega¬ 
tion, reflecting the settled convictions of your mind. That it indi¬ 
cated the true state of your feelings at the moment it was written, 
I will not question; but that it is at all just towards the War De¬ 
partment, I must most positively deny. It is an assertion unaccom¬ 
panied by facts to support it. It relates to a matter, in regard to 
which my information must be at least as full and accurate as your 
own, and I feel bound by the most' solemn convictions of truth to 
say that you are mistaken in the entire length and breadth of the 
allegation. That you have been disappointed in some of the ar¬ 
rangements made here, as you have in some of your own which 
did not depend upon the action of the War Department, is un¬ 
doubtedly true; but such disappointments do not warrant or sus¬ 
tain the charge you have made—they do not even show that you 
have not had all the support from this department which was within 
its competence to give. The department cannot, by the mere fiat 
of its will, call into instant existence the means it may require, and 


192 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


place them where they are needed. Human agency cannot control 
the elements so as to make them subservient to its wishes, or to pre¬ 
vent them from sometimes frustrating its best concerted plans. In 
conducting a war, such as that in which we are now engaged, the 
scene of operations, as you well know, is of the widest range, the 
machinery necessarily of vast extent and complexity; the agencies 
exceedingly numerous and dispersed over vast regions. That all 
this complication of means and agencies should respond with 
promptness and punctuality, in every instance, to any directing will, 
cannot be reasonably expected; that one failure, whether by acci¬ 
dent, necessity or negligence, should involve others, is inevitable; 
and that unforeseen disappointments should, occasionally happen in 
working out results, should surprise no man who takes a sensible 
view of human affairs. That the War Department has not realized 
all that may have been expected in its arrangements, may be safely 
admitted, without laying itself open to the charge of having failed 
to act with energy and effect, or of having neglected any one of 
its essential duties; or to the still more unfounded f and reckless 
charge of having failed to afford any support whatever to the gen¬ 
eral at the head of our armies iii the field. The War Department, 
most deeply interested as it is in carrying the war to a successful 
issue, could have no motive—and,by any other than a mind strangely 
deluded, it could not be suspected of having any motive to do less 
than its utmost to insure triumph and glory to our arms; and 
to a charge of failure of duty in this respect, unaccompanied with 
any specification, it will only oppose, in its vindication on this oc¬ 
casion, its anxious, incessant, and strenuous efforts, zealously de¬ 
voted to the conduct of the wnr. Regarding the inducements you 
have assigned for begging to be recalled as deserving to have very 
little influeuce on the question, it will be decided by the President 
with exclusive reference to the public good. 'When that shall ren¬ 
der it proper, in his opinion, to withdraw you from your present 
command, his determination to do so will be made known to you. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 

• . Secretary of War. 

Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. army , Mexico. 


War Department, 
Washington, July 19, 1847. 

Sir : In my letter to you of the 30th of April, it was remarked 
that “the movements of General Taylor’s column will depend, in a 
great measure, upon the movements of the main column, under you. 
Whether it will be advisable for him to employ his force to create 
a diversion, or to move forward in order to form a junction with 
you, or to hold his present line, or any other more eligible, are 
points on which the President desires your views; and it is deemed 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 193 

important that he should be favored with them, at the earliest 
period, &c.” 

* Unfortunately, the bearer of this- despatch was murdered on his 
way to you, and it fell into the hands of the enemy. A duplicate 
W'as also sent a few days after its date, by mail, and another in 
June, by a messenger; but there is reason to apprehend that it has 
not yet reached you. 

In the letters of General Taylor, of the 28th of May and 16th 
of June, (copies of which are herewith transmitted,) he presents his 
views as to operations on his line, and in the latter he advises, as 
you will perceive, that only a force sufficient to hold a defensive 
line should be retained with him, and all the remaining troops be 
thrown into your column. As it is quite uncertain when your views 
on the general conduct of the campaign, asked for in my letter 
of the 30th of April, will be received, and presuming that, on the 
point referred toby General Taylor, your opinion will be coincident 
to his, the President determined to act in this matter without de¬ 
lay. On the 15th instant, he directed General Taylor to hold such 
u line as he had indicated, and, retaining only such a force as he 
may deem adequate to maintain it safely, to send the remainder to 
you. I herewith send you a copy of that communication. Until 
the department has heard from him, it cannot form an estimate 
of what augmentation of your forces will be received from this 
quarter. 

Though every effort was made to send to you, at the earliest 
period, the recruits, new levies, and the volunteers, destined for 
your column, there was more delay in their arrival at Vera Cruz 
than could have been reasonably anticipated. We have received 
reports of the arrival at Vera Cruz, since the 24th of May, of 4,603 
regular troops, (new levies and reorganized companies,) 300 marines, 
and two Pennsylvania companies of volunteers, 133 strong; which 
make an aggregate of over 5,000 men. The troops en route^ (1,900,) 
but not reported, at the last dates from Vera Cruz, (June 25,) it is 
presumed, have nearly all arrived by this day. 

The difficulties to be encountered on the route into the interior 
have rendered it necessary to detain the successive detachments at 
Vera Cruz, until concentrated in sufficient force to*take up the line 
of march for your head-quarters. These unavoidable delays, it is 
feared, may have reduced, by sickness, the efficient strength of the 
reinforcements ordered to the main army under your command. 

The breaking up of the post at Jalapa appears to have greatly 
increased the difficulties of our communication with the interior 
of the country, and it is hoped that you may find your force so 
much increased as to make it proper to re-establish it, or, at least, 
to be held by some of the detachments, as they may arrive at that 
healthy city—the abandonment of which, indeed, would seem, from 
the tenor of your order, to be only temporary. I need not, I am 
sure, urge the advantages of having the line, from the coast to your 
column, kept open, and as free as possible from obstructions, for 
they must be quite obvious to you ; and as to your means of keep- 

13 


194 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

ing it open you can form a much better opinion than any one 
here. 

Directions from here will be given for the detachments arriving* 
at Yera Cruz to proceed to Jalapa, and there await your orders, 
if deemed safe to do so, unless they shall receive instructions from 
you of a character conflicting or incompatible with such direc¬ 
tions. 

Efforts are making to raise several mounted companies of ac¬ 
climated men, at New Orleans and in that region, principally for 
the purpose of having them employed at Yera Cruz to protect the 
public property at that place, and to defend it, and to clear the 
route into the interior of the guerillas who infest and obstruct it. 

As it does not appear that a duplicate of my letter, of the 14th 
ultimo, was transmitted to you, one is herewith enclosed. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. army , Mexico. 

P. S. I also enclose herewith a duplicate of my letter of the 12th 
instant. 


War Department, 

August 6, 1847. 

Sir: I herewith send you a copy of a letter,addressed, on the 3d 
instant, to the Secretary of the Treasury, by A. Belmont, esq., the 
agent of N. M. Rothschild & Sons, London, proposing to furnish 
funds for the use of the army in Mexico. The terms have been ac¬ 
cepted by the Secretary, and the arrangements made for the pay¬ 
ment of it to Captain Irwin, assistant quartermaster, or such pay¬ 
master or other quartermaster as you may name for that purpose. 
I also send you a copy of my letter, of this date, to the Secretary 
of the Treasury, on the same subject. When the money is received, 
whether by a paymaster or an assistant quartermaster, it will not 
* be for the exclusive use of the department to which the receiving 
officer may belong, but be applied as the exigencies of the service 
may require. 

It is understood that this arrangement will not interfere with the 
use of the drafts in the manner now in practice. 

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 


♦ 


Major General W. Scott, &c., &c. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


195 


War Department, 

September 1, 1847. 

Sir: In the temporary absence of the Secretary of War, caused 
by sickness, the President has requested me to take charge of this 
department. 

The last communication from you received here is dated at Pu¬ 
ebla, on the 4th of June. No doubt is entertained that the difficul¬ 
ties of communication with Yera Cruz have produced this long 
interruption in your correspondence with the department. 

From information which has reached us, it is supposed that you 
commenced your forward movement on the city of Mexico on the 
7th, and it i^ confidently believed that you are now in possession of 
the enemy’s capital. 

The obstinate persistance of the Mexicans in refusing to treat, 
their uttfr disregard of the rules of civilized warfare, and the large 
expenditures which we are compelled to make, has impressed on the 
President the firm conviction that those rights of exacting contri¬ 
bution from the enemy, which are conferred on a belligerent by the 
acknowledged law of nations, should be exercised. Your remarks 
in your dispatch, No. 28, dated at Jalapa, May 20th, 1847, have 
been carefully observed. Your circumstances are since materially 
changed; and if, as we doubt not, you have triumphantly entered 
the city of Mexico, the President directs me again to call your at¬ 
tention to the despatch of this department of the 3d of April last, 
a copy of w T hich is here enclosed. The property holders of Mex¬ 
ico have no claim to find in the market afforded *by sales to our 
army, an actual pecuniary benefit resulting from the war. They 
must be made to feel its evils, and it is earnestly hoped and ex¬ 
pected that you will not find, in your present circumstances, a ne¬ 
cessity to adhere to your opinion, expressed in your despatch re¬ 
ferred to, that a resort to forced contributions will exasperate and 
ruin the inhabitants, and starve the army. Contributions may be 
exacted from cities, or States, or wealthy individuals, and payment 
made for provisions and other supplies brought to the camp, or col¬ 
lected in kind. It is not improbable that men of wealth and means 
may profess to belong, mainly, to the peace party; and it may be 
apprehended that they will be driven from their pacific position by 
coercive proceedings. But, however such an effect may be appre¬ 
hended, it is more probable that their exertions to promote a ter¬ 
mination of the w r ar will be made more serious and efficient when 
they feel the oppressive evils of the state of war. Judging from 
the cruelties and attrooities which are reported, in different parts 
of Mexico, to have been inflicted by the Mexicans, 'whenever an 
opportunity presents itself, on a single soldier, or a weaker party, 
there is no hope of their reciprocating kind, generous, or humane 
exercise of the rights of war on our part; and, without retaliating 
such disgraceful atrocities in kind, every dictate of duty to our¬ 
selves requires that we shall not abstain from the exercise of our 
right of exaction from the enemy.. The mode and extent of exer¬ 
cising this right is, and must be, left to your discretion; but it is 
earnestly hoped that you will put the system into operation, to 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


196 

the utmost practicable extent. The safety and subsistence of the 
troops under your command will, of course, not be placed in jeop¬ 
ardy by the desire to enforce this system, if you find that in its ex¬ 
ercise such a result will follow. % 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JOHN Y. MASON, 
Acting Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. army , Mexico. 


_ \ 

War Department, 
Washington , September 23, 1847. 

Sir: The Rev. L. S. Allen, who was appointed chaplain to one 
of the regiments of Louisiana that was disbanded, afterwards went 
to the army under General Taylor, and remained there some time. 
He has testimonials of the highest character, from citizens, as well 
as the officers of General Taylor’s army, including the general 
himself. He officiated as chaplain while with the army of occu¬ 
pation, and, as it appears, very much to the satisfaction of the offi¬ 
cers and soldiers. He is desirous to be connected with the army 
in that capacity, and proposes to go to your head-quarters, in the 
hopes that he may be favored with an appointment of chaplain to 
some one of the brigades of the army, pursuant to the provisions 
of the 7th section of the act of the 15th of February last. 

I have no doubt of his befitting qualifications, and that his mo¬ 
tives in desiring such a situation are entirely praiseworthy. 

I take the liberty to recommend him to your favorable notice. 

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

General , fyc. 


War Department, 
Washington , October 6, 1847. 

Sir : No official despatch has been received from you at this 
department of a later date than that of the 4th of June, though we 
are not without authentic-information of your operations to the 
20th of August, and of the signal victories obtained by you and 
the gallant army under your command, on that and the preceding 
day. 

Accounts, upon which reliance is placed, have recently reached 
us, that the negotiations for peace have terminated unsuccessfully, 
and that hostilities recommenced on the 8th or 9th ultimo. We 
have also the gratifying intelligence, that you have succeeded in 
capturing the city of Mexico, and are waiting with deep anxiety 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 197 

for the particulars of your operations up to, and including, that 
important event. 

' The terms insisted on by Mexico, on which only she will consent 
to conclude a peace, (which also have been received here,) are so 
extravagant and inadmissible, that there is no alternative left but to 
prosecute the war. 

It is quite evident that the authorities of Mexico would not 
present and insist upon, as a basis for a peace, terms which could 
not be entertained for a moment by us without national dishonor, 
were they not encouraged to continue the war by that portion of 
the population, as well as others, upon which the burdens of the 
war ought to fall, and upon which, in the further prosecution of it, 
they must be made to fall, as the only means now left of bringing 
it to a close. We have hitherto been far more forbearing than is 
customary in exercising the extreme, and even some of the ordinary, 
rights of belligerents; k i^ now evident that our leniency has not 
been appreciated nor reciprocated, but, on the contrary, has been 
repaid with bad faith and barbarity, and is only met by a blind 
obstinacy and a reckless determination to prolong the conflict. 

However unwilling we may be to modify our humane policy, a 
change now seems to be required even by the considerations of 
humanity. We must take the best measures, within the clearly 
admitted course of civilized warfare, to beget a disposition in the 
people of Mexico to come to an adjustment upon fair and honor¬ 
able terms. It should be borne in mind, that the people of 
Mexico, indulging, as it is evident they do, the most hostile feel¬ 
ings, are not less parties to the wjir than the Mexican army, and, 
as a means of peace, they must be made to feel its evils. 

The guerrilla system, which has been resorted to, is hardly re¬ 
cognized as a legitimate mode of warfare, and should be met with 
the utmost allowable severity. Not only those embodied for the 
purpose of carding out that system, but those who, at any time, 
have been engaged in it, or w r ho have sustained, sheltered, and 
protected them, are much less entitled to favorable consideration 
than the soldiers in the ranks of the regular Mexican army. They 
should be seized and held as prisoners of war, and sent to the 
United States, if it is not convenient to hold them. Their haunts 
and places of rendezvous should be broken up and destroyed. 
Those implicated in the murder of non-combatants, or in robbery 
and plunder, should be subjected to a severer treatment. Inde¬ 
pendent of restraints,-&c., upon their persons, all their property 
and effects within our reach should be unhesitatingly seized and 
devoted to public use. In relation to other prisoners and officers, 
I refer you to my despatch of May 31. I herewith send you an 
extract from it relating to that subject. 

Permit me to invite your attention to the despatch from this 
department, of the 1st ultimo, (a copy of which is herewith sent,) 
and urge the suggestions therein contained upon your particular 
consideration. The burden of sustaining our forces in Mexico 
must be thrown, to the utmost extent, upon the people of that 
country, its resources should be resorted to in every manner con- 


198 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


sistent with the usages of civilized war for that purpose, and it is 
hoped that your situation is such as will warrant you in making 
this resort, at least, to the extent required for the support of our 
army. The men of means w T ho have willingly contributed aid to 
support the Mexican army should be forced to contribute to the 
support of ours. 

Without a particular knowledge of your situation, of the avail¬ 
able force you now have at your command, or of the resistance 
the enemy are still capable of making, nothing more than sugges¬ 
tions, in regard to your future proceedings, will be submitted for 
your consideration. I need not urge upon you the adoption of all 
measures necessary for holding the city of Mexico- and the princi¬ 
pal places between that city and Vera Cruz. To open and keep 
open the way between these two cities, would seem to be required 
for holding securely what is already conquered, and- for future 
operations. For this purpose, a considerable increase of your 
force, it is presumed, will be indispensable. Additional troops are 
now on the way to join your column. A force of about 3,000 men, 
besides Colonel Hays’ mounted volunteers, has been sent from 
General Taylor’s command, and we are advised that about 1,800 
of these are now en route between Vera Cruz and your head¬ 
quarters, (if they have not already reached there,) under the com¬ 
mand of Brigadier General Lane. A large number, under General 
Cushing, will soon follow. One new regiment of Ohio volunteers 
is now en route , and five more are nearly organized, and will be 
sent forthwith to Vera Cruz, with orders to join you. There is 
also a considerable volunteer force, which was called out many 
months since, and had been slow in organizing, now on its way to 
your column. The adjutant general’s estimate, herewith, of th§ 
total number of these troops and other detachments, makes the 
aggregate force en route , under orders, and being mustered into 
service, about 15,000, since General Pierce’s advance from Vera 
Cruz on the 14th July. How far this amount of force will be 
reduced by casualities, before it reaches you, cannot be estimated. 
With this augmentation of strength, it is to be hoped that you will 
be able to accomplish, not only the objects before indicated,, 
(should you deem them preferable to others,) but to carry on fur¬ 
ther aggressive operations, to achieve new conquests, to disperse 
the remaining army of the enemy in your vicinity, and prevent 
the organization of another. Left, as you are, to your own judg¬ 
ment as to your military operations, the fullest confidence is en¬ 
tertained that you will conduct them in the most effective way to 
bring about the main and ultimate object of the war; namely, to 
induce the rulers and people of Mexico to desire and consent to 
such terms of peace as we have a right to ask and expect. 

The views of the government, in relation to propositions and ne¬ 
gotiations for concluding a peace, are disclosed in a despatch from 
the Department of State to Mr. Trist, a copy of which accompa¬ 
nies this communication. By it, you will perceive that he is re¬ 
called. You will embrace a proper occasion to n-otifythe Mexican 
authorities of this fact. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


199 


Should they offer, through you, terms of accommodation, or pro¬ 
pose to enter on negotiations, the President directs that such 
propositions be forwarded without delay to him, but it is not ex¬ 
pected that your movements or measures, for carrying on hos¬ 
tilities, will be thereby relaxed, or in anywise changed. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding TJ. S. Army , Mexico. 


War Department, 
Washington , October 22, 1847. 

Sir: I herewith send to you a translation of documents received 
from the minister of Spain, at the State Department, complaining 
of an alleged outrage upon a Spanish subject, Don Jose Villa Verde, 
at or near Santa Fe, in the vicinity of Vera Cruz. You will per¬ 
ceive, by the letters of Colonel Wilson, that he has given to the 
Spanish consul at Vera Cruz all the information he has been able 
to ascertain, and suggests that further explanation of the transac¬ 
tion referred to in the correspondence must be obtained from Cap¬ 
tain Wheat, (who is probably now with you,) by whose men the 
acts complained of may have been committed. 

As the matter is laid before the government here, by the minis¬ 
ter of Spain, it is desired that it should have the means of making 
a proper explanation, and, if the character of the transaction is such 
as requires redress, of determining what redress is called for. With 
a view to obtain the needful information on the subject for these 
purposes, these documents are forwarded to you. 

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 

Secretary of War. 


Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. Army , Mexico. 


War Department, 
Washington , October 22, 1847. 

Sir: I regret to inform you that no official despatch has been re¬ 
ceived from you at this department since that dated the fourth of 
June. Though we have information of your brilliant successes since 
you left Puebla, it is not of an official character. Letters of a date 
as late as the 28th of September, written from the city of Mexico 
by persons in, or connected with the army, have been receded 
here. 

I need not express to you the deep anxiety which is felt for your 
official despatches, and the importance of having them before the 




300 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


meeting of Congress, which will take place in about forty-five days. 
Aware of the difficulties which attend the transmission of them to 
Yera Cruz, or any point on the gulf coast, it is natural to conclude 
that those hitherto sent have been intercepted by the enemy. 

It is the President’s desire that you should resort to every prac¬ 
ticable means and ways of sending them forward at the earliest 
period. Those heretofore transmitted have, doubtless, miscarried; 
it will therefore be important that duplicates of them should be 
sent. 

It is hoped that the government may be so fortunate as to receive 
authentic information of your operations and of your situation, as 
well as that of the enemy, before the assembling of Congress. 

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 

Secretary of War. 

Major General W. Scott, 

Commanding U. S. Army in Mexico. 




War Department, 
Washington, October 24, 1847. 

Sir : I again address you, to multiply the chances that some of 
my letters maybe received, on the subject of forwarding despatches 
to this department in time to be received before the meeting of 
Congress. The information we may receive, and the views you 
may present, may have an important bearing on the future course 
to be adopted in prosecuting the war, and as to the measures to be 
taken thereon. I have, therefore, again to request that you will 
resort to all means and ways, deemed practicable, to communicate 
with your government, at the earliest period. I repeat that we have 
had no official communication from you since that of the 4th of 
June last. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
♦ W. L. MARCY, 

Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield ScOtt, 

Commanding U. S. Army , Mexico. 


War Department, 
Washington , October 26, 1847. 

Sir : I enclose, herewith, a copy of a letter from the Secretary 
of State, communicating a complaint preferred by Serment, Fort & 
Co., through the French minister here, that General Worth has 
seized at Puebla, and sold as Mexican public property, certain 
tobacco belonging to them. There is no evidence submitted as to 
the truth of the allegations, though the complainants promise to 
forward authentic documents at an early day, but I send you the 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


201 


enclosed papers, in order that you may have advantage of early no¬ 
tice, and be enabled to collect information on the subject, while 
the transaction, is yet of a comparatively recent date. With regard 
to the merits of the case, I will only now remark, that if the tobacco 
was in good faith assigned to Messrs. Serment, Fort & Co., in dis¬ 
charge of their debt, by the government of Mexico, it would seem 
that they will be entitled to indemnification ; but it there was any 
collusion between the parties to save, in this manner, public 
property of Mexico, which was about to fall into the hands of our 
victorious'forces, the justice of the claim will be very questionable. 
Your inquiries might be directed to this point. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfied Scott, 

Commanding U. S. Army in Mexico. 


No. 30. 


[Received December 30, 1848.] 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Puebla , July 25, 1847. 

Sir: My last report was dated the 4th ultimo, from this place, 
enclosing a copy of my instructions (June 3) to Colonel Childs, 
ordering up the garrison of Jalara, and a copy of a letter from me 
to Mr. Trist, of May 29. 

Although daily in expectation of something of special interest to 
communicate, nothing has occurred of that character, save a happy 
change in my relations, both official and private, with Mr. Trist. 
Since about the 26th ultimo, our intercourse has been frequent and 
cordial, and I have found him able, disdreet, courteous, and 
amiable. At home it so chanced that we had but the slightest 
possible acquaintance with each other. Hence more or less of re¬ 
ciprocal prejudice; and of the existence of his feelings towards me, 
I knew (by private letters) before we met, that, at least, a part of 
the cabinet had a full intimation. 9 

Still the pronounced misunderstanding between Mr. Trist and 
myself could not have occurred, but for other circumstances: 
1. His being obliged to send forward your letter of April 14, in¬ 
stead of delivering it in person, with the explanatory papers which 
he desired to communicate; 2. His bad health in May and June, 
which I am happy to say, has now become good; and 3. The ex¬ 
treme mystification into which your letter, and particularly an in¬ 
terlineation, unavoidably threw me. 

So far as I am concerned, I am perfectly willing that all I have 
heretofore written to the department about Mr. Trist should be 
suppressed. I make this declaration, as due to my present esteem 
for that gentleman; but ask no favor, and desire none, at the hands 



202 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

of the department. Justice to myself, however tardy, I shall take 
care to have done. 

Since my acknowledgment of May 7, (report No. 27,) I have had 
hut two letters from you, dated, respectively, April 30, and May 
31, received here in the. order of their date, June 6, and July 7. 
The duplicate of the former, borne by a special messenger from 
Washington, had been previously, by his imprudence, captured be¬ 
low Cerro Gordo, and published, with other letters found on his 
person, in the papers of the Mexican government. # 

I do not acknowledge the justice of either of your rebukes con¬ 
tained in the letter of May 31; and that I do not here triumphantly 
vindicate myself, is not from the want of will, means, or ability, 
but time. 

The first letter (dated February 22) received from you, at Yera 
Cruz, contained a censure, and I am now rebuked for the unavoid¬ 
able—nay, wise, if it had not been unavoidable—release, on parole, 
of the prisoners taken at Cerro Gordo — even before one word of 
commendation, from government, has reached this army on account 
of its gallant conduct in the capture of those prisoners. So, in 
regular progression, I may—should the same army gallantly bear 
me into the city of Mexico, in the next seven or eight weeks, 
which is probable, if we are not arrested by a peace or a truce— 
look to be dismissed from the service of my country! You will 
perceive that I am aware (as I have long been) of the dangers 
which hang over me at home; but I, too, am a citizen of the United 
States, and well know the obligations imposed, under all circum¬ 
stances, by an enlightened patriotism. 

Having, June 3, lost all hope of being joined by other troops 
than the nine hundred and odd men, belonging to the old regiments 
of this army, and of whose approach I had had notice from the ad¬ 
jutant general, I ordered up Colonel Childs with the garrison 
from Jalapa; but instructed him to wait for that body, and any 
other (I was thinking only of some other party of recruits) he 
might chance to hear of. He waited, first, for Colonel McIntosh; 
next, for Brigadier General Cadwalader, who, in turn, heard of, 
and waited for, Major General Pillow. The latter arrived here, 
with all those detachments, the 8th instant. But in the mean 
time I had heard that Brigadier General Pierce had reached Yera 
Cruz on the 28th of June, and was to take up his line of march, at 
th6 latest, the 3d instant. Consequently I expected him here, 
with much confidence, by the 17th; but the day before I learned, 
with great disappointment, that the want of transportation, and an 
accident, would detain him at Yera Cruz till th’e 16th. Of course, 
I cannot now look for him before the end of this month. I shall 
be obliged to wait his certain and near' approach: 1. Because we 
need the strong reinforcement he will bring up; and 2. The money, 
supposed to be with him, is indispensable. 

In respect to money, I beg again to report that the chief com¬ 
missary (Captain Grayson) of this army has not received a dollar 
from the United States, since we landed at Yera Cruz, March 9. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


203 


He now owes more than $200,000, and is obliged to purchase, on 
credit, at great disadvantages. The chief quartermaster (Captain 
Irwin) has received, perhaps, $60,000, and labors under like in¬ 
cumbrances. Both have sold drafts, to small amounts, and bor¬ 
rowed largely of the pay department, which has received about half 
the money estimated for. Consequently, the troops have some four 
months’ pay due them. Our poverty, or the neglect of the disi 
bursing departments at home, has been made known, to our shame, 
in the papers of the capital here, through a letter from Lieutenant 
Colonel Hunt, that was found on the person of the special messen¬ 
ger from Washington. 

The army is also suffering greatly from the want of necessary 
.clothing, including blankets and great coats. The new troops, 
(those who have last arrived,) as destitute as the others, were first 
told that they would find abundant supplies at .New Orleans; next, 
at Yera Cruz, and, finally, here; whereas we now have, perhaps, a 
thousand hands engaged in making shoes, and (out of bad materials 
and at high cost,) pantaloons. These articles, about 3,000 pairs of 
each, are absolutely necessary to cover the nakedness of the 
troops. 

February 28th, off Lobos, I wrote to Brigadier General Brooke, 
to direct the quartermaster at New Orleans to send me large sup¬ 
plies of clothing. March 16-23, General Brooke replied, that the 
quartermaster at New Orleans had u neither clothing nor shoes,” 
and that he was u fearful that, unless they have been sent out to 
you direct, you will be much disappointed.” 

Some small quantity of clothing, perhaps one-fifth of our wants, 
came to Yera Cruz from some quarter, and follotved us to Jalapa 
and this place. 

May 30, the number of sick, here, was 1,017; of effectives, 5,820. 
Since the arrival of Major General Pillow, we have effectives (rank 
and file) 8,061; sick, 2,215, besides 87 officers under the latter 
head. The arrival of Brigadier General Pierce may add about 25 
per cent, to our effective strength, and I hope to advance, after 
leaving a competent garrison here, at the head of 9,500 men. The 
enemy in the capital may amount to some thirty-odd thousand, in¬ 
cluding good, bad, and indifferent. The health of our troops has 
been improving since the 20th instant. 

I have been obliged to detain Major General Quitman here, in 
the command of the volunteer division, not only on account of his 
very valuable services with that corps, but because I cannot send 
him in safety and with honor, either direct to Saltillo, or via Yera 
Cruz, without a heavy detachment of troops—which would be, of 
itself, quite a military operation. Brigadier General Shields com¬ 
mands a brigade in that division. 

I have large masses of papers, some of them of considerable 
interest, to forward; but the messenger about to depart can only 
take two or three letters in a small compass. Mr. Trist writes by 
him, and to his report I beg to refer, for his prospects of opening 
negotiations. 


204 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


I have no news from Major General Taylor later than May 23, 
and none of the approach of additional troops. 

I have the honor to remain, with high respect, sir, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 


(Endorsement.) 

[Placed, sealed, in the hands of Mr. Trist, the night of its date, 
to go by a private express, frequently before employed by him, 
(Mr. T.)—the express rider never before, as far as was known, 
having failed to deliver letters as he was directed. 

• WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Mexico, November , 1847.] 


War Department, 
Washington , November 8, 1847. 

Sir: I herewith send you a copy of an order of the President, 
modifying the existing rates of contribution on imports into Mexi¬ 
can ports in our military possession. The modifications will be at 
once adopted and carried into effect at each port, on the receipt of 
a copy of said order. 

With great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 


Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding United States army , Mexico. 


P. S. A copy of the foregoing letter and documents has been 
sent to the commanding officers at Yera Cruz, Tampico, and Mata- 
moras, with directions to have the modifications immediately car¬ 
ried into effect. 


War Department, 
November 19, 1847. 

Sir: Your official despatches, Nos. 31, 32, 33, and 34, communi¬ 
cating the various and brilliant successes of the heroic army under 
your command, after its advance from Puebla until its victorious 
entry into the city of Mexico, were received here on the 12th in¬ 
stant. 

The signal ability by which the successive operations have been 
directed by yourself, and executed by the officers of every grade, 
and the whole army under your command, has received, not only 
the entire approval, but the highest commendation of the President. 






Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


205 


These wonderful achievements are the theme of praise and admira- 
tion throughout the nation, and have called forth intense feelings 
of gratitude to the gallant officers and brave men by whom they 
have been performed. 

The President will embrace the occasion of the approaching 
meeting of Congress to express to that body and the nation his 
high appreciation of their distinguished services to the country. 

The duplicate of your letter of the 27th ultimo, No. 35, has also 
been received, but without the papers therein referred to. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient ser¬ 
vant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War . 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. army , city of Mexico. 


[The following correspondence accompanied the accounts of the battles of Mexico, heretofore 

published.] 

Head- quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , October 2, 1847 

Major General Scott, with his compliments, invites Major Gen¬ 
eral Pillow’s attention to several passages in the official reports of 
the latter, dated, respectively, August 24th and September 18th, 
which seem to require correction. 

In the former paper, pp. 2 and 3, General P. makes General S. 
come on the field with Brigadier General Shields, after Gene'ral 
Pillow had ordered Colonel Morgan and the 15th infantry to sup¬ 
port Brigadier General Cadwalader, at the village of Contreras or 
San Geronimo. 

Ought not General P. to interline, or to add, that that order was 
given at the instance of General S. 1 

General S. also hopes that General P. will, on reflection, be kind 
enough to strike out of the same paper the commendation, at once 
handsome and grateful, which General P., at page 17, was .pleased 
to bestow on General S.; 1st, because it appears in an official pa¬ 
per from a junior to a senior, which makes it impossible for the 
senior to forward it; and 2d, because, if the right of a junior to 
praise be admitted, it would 'carry with it the correlative right of 
the junior to censure the senior under the same connexion, which 
would be against all discipline. 

Those corrections it has been the intention of General S., from 
'the first, to invite General P. to make; but the hurry of events has 
heretofore prevented. 

General S. forwarded, early in September, his reports of the 
operations of August 19th and 20th; but not the reports to him of ' 
the commanders of corps, because the messenger could only take 
about his person packages of small size, capable of concealment* 

It is fortunate that the reports of divisions did not go by that mes- 



206 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

senger, as it is now fully believed that he was cut off by the 
enemy. 

In a day or two, however, General S. hopes to find an opportu¬ 
nity of sending off to Yera Cruz, or Tampico, not only his own re¬ 
ports of the operations of August 19th and 20th, September 8th, 
12th, 13th, and 14th, but also those from divisions and brigades, 
and hence he proceeds, as intimated above, to notice what he con¬ 
ceives to be'errors in General P.’s report of September 18th, under 
consideration, yesterday, for the first time by General S. 

At page 4, General P. says: u All being now ready and eager for 
the conflict, I ordered all the batteries silenced and the command to 
advance. 5 ’ 

If General P. here means that he silenced the batteries of his 
own division, it is well; but then he ought to qualify the sentence 
accordingly, for there were others; the heavy batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 
3, and 4, not under General P.’s command, and the cessation of 
whose fire in the morning of the 13th, as ordered the night before 
by General S., Major Generals Pillow *and Quitman were to con¬ 
sider as the signal for the joint attack, and those batteries General 
S. ordered, about 8 o’clock in the morning of the 13th, to cease 
firing , as such signal, and at the same time gave notice thereof, 
through aides-de-camp, to Generals P. and Q. 

At page 15, san^p report, General P. says: u Having carried 
Chapultepec, and being unable to proceed with my command, I or¬ 
dered it forward under Generads Quitman and Worth,” &c., &c. 

General S. apprehends that'there are several errors in this pas¬ 
sage; 1st, he thinks, from what he personally saw, that General 
P., after receiving an agonizing wound, in the able and heioic dis¬ 
charge of his duty, was not in a condition, unfortunately, to com¬ 
mand; and 2d, General S. knows that he, himself, gave reiterated 
orders for Clarke’s, first, and then Cadwalader’s brigade to support 
Worth, and then, that Pierce’s brigade should support Quitman; 
besides specially designating Lieutenant Colonel Howard, with 
part of the 15th infantry, as the garrison of Chapultepec. 

General S. is sorry to perceive,in General P.’s report of Septem¬ 
ber 18th, a seeming effort, no doubt unintentional, to leave Gener¬ 
al S. entirely out of the operations of September 13th. 

There are other inaccuracies in the two papers in question, which 
have, or-may be, silently corrected in General S.’s general reports. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To Major General Pillow. 


Mexico, October 3, 1847. 

My dear General: You have done me an act of kindness in 
calling my attention to certain portions of my report deemed inac¬ 
curate. 

Yon have been my friend, you have given me your confidence * 
and have placed me in positions of great responsibility .; and F 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 207 . 

trust I have sustained the honor and interests of my country , and 
justified your selection. 

For your uniform kindness and friendship I shall ever feel, and, 

I trust, manifest a proper sense of gratitude. 

For the opinion I entertain of the merits due to you , and of your 
talents as a military chieftain, and for my disposition to do you 
justice, I cannot but refer you to the opinion so fully expressed, 
under my own proper signature, in my report of the 24th of Au¬ 
gust, which you, from motives of delicacy, desire me to strike out. 

I trust you will look to it for the. 'purpose of vindicating my 
motives against the thought expressed in the last paragraph but one, 
of your note of yesterday. 

Feeling towards [you] as I did, in that report, it would be ex¬ 
traordinary indeed if I were, afterwards, without any motive 
other than that created by being placed under additional obliga¬ 
tions of kindness , I were, unintentionally, to produce the impres¬ 
sion which, to you, appears in my report of the 13th ultimo. 

I should despise myself if I were capable of cherishing such pur¬ 
pose. 

Whilst I have no hesitation in correcting any thing in my report 
deemed erroneous, still, I trust, as a personal explanation of some 
portions deemecl erroneous is due to myself, I hope you will favor 
me with a few minutes’ call, as I am unable to call upon you. I 
should be glad to see you in relation to another subject also. 

Be good enough to have my reports handed to Captain Hooker; 

I will return them to-day. I would thank you to indicate to me 
the other inaccuracies. 

Very truly, &c., 

GID. J. PILLOW. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , October 3, 1847 

Sir: On your back, as you still are, with a painful wound, I 
yesterday very reluctantly troubled you with the note of that 
date, but was obliged to do so before finishing my report of the re¬ 
cent glorious operations, in which you had a full and most distin¬ 
guished participation. I was then at a stand still, waiting for Ma¬ 
jor General Quitman’s report that has, at length, been received. I 
am accordingly laboring to finish-my despatch to-day, or, at the 
latest, to-morrow. But, in the mean time, here is a report, believed 
by almost every body, tliat General Taylor is advancing upon San 
Luis de Potosiand thisplace, and I must write at once to him, leaving 
a wide margin of discretion, to halt at San Luis; but if forced to ad¬ 
vance, by the want of money and supplies, to leave Queretaro on 
his right, so as not to disperse the slight elements of peace about 
♦to be brought together at that point. I.mention this'for your in¬ 
formation, and to show you, also, how I am occupied and fatigued. 

You request me to point out any inaccuracies in your report, not 




208 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

before specifically stated, and to which I alluded in my note of 
yesterday. 

In your paper of August 24, towards the close, you say that you 
proposed the joint attack on San Antonio, in front and rear, and- 
sent tome a message advising that attack; probably through Lieuten¬ 
ant Ripley, your aid-de-camp. I remember to have met Mr. Rip¬ 
ley, the morning of the 20th, (August,) but before meeting him I 
had sent back General Worth with one of his brigades, then near¬ 
ly up with the mound we had observed the operations from, the 
evening of the 19th, with instructions as soon as he (Worth) should 
see our troops approaching San Antonio by the rear, to attack that 
place in front, and, at the same time, to turn it by its right. Hence 
the instructions I gave you at Coyoacan, the 20th, after previously 
sending Captain Lee, engineer, supported by a squadron of horse 
and the rifle regiment, to give the concerted signal to Worth of the 
approach upon the rear of San Antonia. That part of your report, 
therefore, is unjust to me, and seems, without intending it, I am 
sure, to make you control the operations of the whole army, in¬ 
cluding my own views and acts. 

I think you also in error in stating th&t the troops at Contreras, 
in the morning of the 20th, executed the precise plans and views 
laid-down, by you, for their government the evening before. 

In haste, permit me to repeat, once more, that I have, from my 
first meeting with you, been anxious, from a high opinion of your 
head and heart; your intelligence, honor, zeal, and valor; to win 
your esteem and confidence, on any terms consistent with justice 
and honor, in which sentiments, 

1 remain, truly, yours, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


[Private.] 


Mexico, October 3, 1847. 

My dear General: I desired much to have seen you in person, 
to have explained what I must attempt to do by this note. My 
order to Colonel Morgan to support General Cadwalader at Con¬ 
treras, was borne and delivered to that officer by Captain Hooker, 
who returned to my position on the hill, and was then by me sent 
to receive and conduct you to my position, as the one most favor¬ 
able for observing the movements of the contending armies. When 
you came up, that regiment had commenced the movement, and 
had nearly reached the corner of the field, while the rear had 
scarcely got in motion. On your arrival you asked me what corps 
it was. I replied, and told you my order in regard to it, and asked 
you if it was proper. You replied, it was. In this recollection of 
mine, I am fully and clearly sustained by Captain Hooker, whose 
recollection I have consulted, without giving him any reasons for 
so doing. 

The officer by whom my request for your authority to proceed 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 225 

General Patterson thinks they may, in all, amount to 3,500, officers 
and men. 

I have nothing else to add of interest, except that Major Gene¬ 
ral Butler’s column, as well as the train sent hence the first of No¬ 
vember, are both expected here in about a week. 

WINFIELD SCOTT, 

Mexico, December 10, 1847. 


Mazatlan, Sinaloa, 

November 16, 1847. 

General: On the 11th instant I took possession of this town, 
with the sailors and marines of the squadron, and am holding it at 
great inconvenience to the ships. 

I write this on shore, in haste, having an unexpected convey¬ 
ance. I have written you more at length, but have not time to 
forward that communication. 

The public service would be greatly benefitted if you could force 
a party of five hundred or a thousand men through to garrison the 
place, that I may pursue other objects. I am sure, I need say no 
more to you to ensure your assistance, if possible. If you could 
send men to any other point than this, I would send for them on 
notice. 

I am, general, with great respect, &c., your obedient servant. 

W. BRANFORD SHUBRICK, 

Com. Pacific Squadron. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Ccm. in Chief U. S. Army , Mexico. 

P. S. The port and town of Guaymas, in Sonora, were captured 
on the 19th October, by a part of the squadron, and is held by a 
sloop-of-war. 

The population of Mazatlan is so large that it requires a mili¬ 
tary garrison. 

W. B. S. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , December 2, 1847. 

Sir: I have had the' honor to receive your letter, dated at Ma¬ 
zatlan, the 16th ultimo, and am happy to learn that our Pacific 
squadron, under your command, has, among other important points, 
captured Mazatlan, Guaymas, and I suppose, San Bias. 

I have been waiting here two months and a half, to learn the 
views of the government at home, or at least for the arrival of rein¬ 
forcements, before undertaking any new and distant operations. 
The forces that I had under my orders in the whole of this repub¬ 
lic, except the troops immediately under Major General Taylor, 
only gave me the means of occupying Tampico, Vera Cruz, Puebla, 
Chapultepec, and this capital, until recently. We entered this 




226 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


city with a fraction less than 6,000 men, the morning of September 
14th. About the 25th of that month, Major General Patterson ar¬ 
rived with some 4,000 men, and Major General Butler followed 
with as many more. I learn that another 8,000 may be expected 
at the same port in five or six weeks, making in all 16,000 men, 
less a smaller body with Brigadier General Lane, which preceded 
Major General Patterson and is now awaiting him at Puebla. 

Both of these major generals have been delayed, one at Jalapa 
and the other at Vera Cruz, probably by the want of transportation; 
when they may be expected here, after establishing the^ new gar¬ 
risons on the route, I am unable, at this time, to say. Perhaps all 
their surplus forces, say 10,000 men, deducting the new garrisons, 
may be up with me in six or eight weeks. 

According to intimations from the War Department, which may 
be changed on receiving late despatches from me, I shall, in pro¬ 
portion to the arrival of reinforcements, occupy, successively, the 
principal mining districts of which Zacatecas and San Luis de Po- 
tosi are the respective centres; next, the State capitals within my 
reach and surplus means; all with a view to internal trade and the 
revenue that may be derived therefrom, to aid in the payment of 
the expenses of the occupation, that is, should the government de¬ 
cide upon covering the country in order to force this republic to 
sue for peace; and we now have in Mexico no minister or commis¬ 
sioner (since the recall of Mr. Trist) to negotiate a treaty- To 
effect that object, by occupying the sources of trade and revenue, 
the mining districts and principal cities, including state capitals and 
ports of entry, at least 50,000 men in the ranks, not on paper, (the 
number I have asked for,) will be indispensable. With that num¬ 
ber I may be able to send garrisons to the principal ports of the 
Pacific. In the mean time, I can only suggest, if the latter cannot 
be occupied , that they be blockaded by your squadron. 

I take the liberty to enclose a copy of an order, in which I 
interdict the exportation of uncoined gold or silver, and think of 
recommending to the government the continuation of that prohi¬ 
bition, and the imposition of five per centum on the exportation of 
all cjoins. The army of occupation and the citizens of Mexico are 
equally interested in compelling miners and capitalists to convert 
into specie all the products of the mines, and the occupation may 
also levy on melting, assaying, and coinage, a prior duty of, say, 
one per centum. 

The common service entrusted to us, respectively, is interested 
in frequent intercommunications. I shall avail myself of every 
opportunity to give you information of the movements and opera¬ 
tions of this army. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To Commodore Wm. B. Shubrick, 

U. S. N.j Com. Pacific Squadron , Mazatlan , Mexico. 


Official: 


G. W. LAY, Lieut, and Mil. Sec* 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


227 


War Department, ^ 

Washington , December 14 , 1847 . 

Sir: You will herewith receive a copy of the President’s message 
to Congress, and also a copy of the annual report from this de¬ 
partment. The message will make you acquainted with the views 
of the President in regard to the future prosecution of the war. 

It is expected that you will use the force under your command 
to hold the city of Mexico and other places now in your posses¬ 
sion, and to keep open the communication from that place to Yera 
Cruz, so that supplies, munitions of war, and merchandise, can be 
safely conveyed along that line, with only a small force to escort 
and protect them. Should robbers and guerrilleros continue to ob¬ 
struct the road, to plunder and murder as heretofore, the most vig¬ 
orous measures should be pursued to punish them and prevent their 
depredations. It is desirable to open the country to the ingress 
of merchandise, from the ports in our possession, to the utmost prac¬ 
ticable extent. In this way it is anticipated that considerable as¬ 
sistance will be derived towards meeting the expenses of the war. 

You will perceive that the government here contemplate that the 
resources of the country are, to a considerable extent, open to us, 
and that they are to be resorted to for the purpose of diminishing 
the burden of our expenses. It is also expected you will make 
them available for this purpose as far as practicable. 

The internal revenues, to the extent, at least, to which they were 
levied by the Mexican government, are to be kept up and paid 
over to the use of our army, so far as it is within our power to con¬ 
trol them, with the exception of the departmental or transit duties, 
mentioned in a former communication. For this purpose, and to 
deprive the enemy of the means of organizing further resistance to 
protract the war, it is expedient to subject to our arms other parts 
of his country. What those parts shall be is left to your judg¬ 
ment. Our object is to obtain acceptable terms of peace within 
the earliest practicable period, and it is apprehended that this ob¬ 
ject cannot be speedily obtained without making the enemy feel 
that he is to bear a considerable part of the burden of the war. 

Should there not be at this time a government in Mexico of suffi¬ 
cient stability to make peace, or should the authority which there 
exists be adverse to it, and yet a large and influential portion of 
the people really disposed to put an end to hostilities, it is desir¬ 
able to know what prospect there is that the latter could, with the 
countenance and protection of our arms, organize a government 
which would be willing to makepeace, and able to sustain the rela¬ 
tions of peace with us. It is presumed that your opportunities of 
knowing the disposition of the people of Mexico will enable you to 
furnish your government with correct information on this subject, 
and the President desires to be furnished with your views thereon. 

Major General Taylor has obtained leave of absence from his com¬ 
mand to visit his family. He will remain in ti e United States for 


228 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


six months from the first instant, unless the exigencies of the pub¬ 
lic service shall require his earlier return to Mexico. * 

Very respectfully, you:' obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 

Secretary of War. 

Major General W. Scott, 

Commanding U. S. army in Mexico. 


No. 38. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , December 13, 1847. 

Sir: Information, subsequent to my reports of the battles of Sep¬ 
tember 13th, has developed some facts, which, in justice to the 
officers concerned, I request may be incorporated in that report. 

1. In the mention of “officers and corps most distinguished” at 
the storming of Chapultepec, the name of Captain Howard, volti- 
geurs, should immediately precede those of Captains Barnard and 
Biddle, of the same corps, in these terms: “Captain Howard, of 
that regiment, one of the foremost in the assault.” 

2. In the same operation, Lieutenant Selden, 8th infantry, is re¬ 
ported to have been “ early on the ladder and badly wounded;” 
please substitute “ the first on a ladder and badly wounded.” 

3. Under the same head, honorable mention is made of “ a por¬ 
tion of the storming party (Twiggs’s division serving with Quit- 
man) under Lieutenant Steele, 2d infantry;” it should read “ Lieu¬ 
tenants Westcott and Steele, 2d infantry.” 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your obedient 
servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

The honorable Secretary of War. 

P. S.—I beg to repeat the request that the original reports made 
by Major General Pillow, of his operations on the 19th and 20th of 
August, and on the 12th and 13th of September, may be sent back 
to me, to be read in evidence at his trial. For a like purpose, I 
include in the request that Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Duncan’s re¬ 
port of the operations of his battery, on the 20th of August, may 
be sent at the same time. The former will, I have reason to know, 
at his trial avail himself of every possible technical objection in 
his power. 


W. S. « 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 39. 


229 


IIead-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , December 14, 1847. 

Sir: A courier, not under my orders, who has relays of horses 
hence towards Vera Cruz, takes charge of a small package of 
letters from me. 

I have received no communication from the Mexican government, 
and do not expect one before the new congress and president are 
installed, which will be about the 10th of the next month. It is 
believed that both will be favorably inclined towards peace. 

By a letter from Major General Butler, dated at Jalapa, the 4th 
instant, I learn that he expected to be at Puebla to-day, with about 
3,600 men; that Lieutenant Colonel Johnston, with a returning 
train, was close behind, having some 1,300 reinforcements, in 
addition to his downward escort; and that Brigadier General 
Marshall would soon follow, with a regiment and detachment of 
volunteers. T. ose reinforcements, added to the force brought up 
five or six days ago, by Major General Patterson, (3,400,) may 
make a total of 9,000 men, or 8,000 u fit for duty.” 

For a first movement I need two columns, of about 5,000 men 
each, to occupy the San Luis and Zacatecas mining districts; to 
keep open the communication with this place, by means of detach¬ 
ments left behind; to open one with Tampico, and to occupy the 
State capitals within reach of the columns. It is desirable that the 
two should march about the same time, with a view to reciprocal 
support and moral effect upon the enemy. But I may feel myself 
at liberty to await the arrival of any detachments that may be behind 
Brigadier General Marshall. 

The route of the first two columns will be the same, nearly up to 
Queretaro, and one must pass through that city to reach Zacatecas. 
This necessity embarrasses me, as I am assured by every body that 
the dispersion of the federal government, on the approach of our 
troops, whether we propose to occupy the temporary capital 
(Queretaro) or not, will be certain, and re-assemblage of the ele¬ 
ments of peace, at any other point, extremely doubtful. Under the. 
instructions received from the Department, I shall, however, make 
the double movement, as soon as the reinforcements known to be 
on this side of Vera Cruz shall have arrived, unless, in the mean 
time, I am otherwise instructed. 

Since my last acknowledgment, (in despatch No. 36,) I have re¬ 
ceived from the department two communications bearing date Oc¬ 
tober 22, and one of October 26. 

I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect, your obedient 
servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To the Hon. Secretary of War. 


230 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


War Department, 
January 13, 1848. 

Sir : Since I addressed you on the 14th of December, the fol¬ 
lowing communications have been received, viz : your despatches 
Nos. 30, 36, 37, 38, and 39, a copy of the correspondence between 
yourself and Commodore Shubrick, his letter of the 16th of No¬ 
vember, and yours in reply, of the 2d of December; and copies 
of charges and specifications against Major General Pillow, Brevet 
Major General Worth, and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Duncan. 

The perusal of these communications by the President, has forced 
upon his mind the painful conviction, that there exists a state of 
things at the head-quarters of the army, which is exceedingly 
detrimental to the public service, and imperiously calls upon him 
to interpose in such way as will, he sincerely hopes, arrest and 
put an end to the feuds and dissensions which there prevail. 

After the fullest consideration of the subject, the President has 
not been able to give his approval to the course you have adopted 
towards Brevet Major General Worth, and for reasons which I 
will briefly state, he defers, for the present at least, to order a 
court martial for his trial on the charge you have presented against 
him. The documents show that General Worth felt deeply ag¬ 
grieved by your u general order, No. 349. ” Imputations of a 
very serious character were, by that order, cast upon some of the 
officers under your immediate command, and, fiom its peculiar 
phraseology, it was understood by General Worth, or others, as 
indicating him as one of the officers obnoxious to the severe cen¬ 
sure and reproof therein contained. With this view of the import 
and object of the order, his attempt by all proper means to re¬ 
move from himself the ignominy of these imputations, cannot be 
regarded as an exceptionable course on his part. As the stroke 
which had, as he thought, deeply wounded his honor as an officer, 
and his character as a man, came from your hands, his application 
for redress was properly made to you; but as he did not obtain 
such redress, as he believed, under the circumstances of the case, 
was due to him, he exercised, or attempted to exercise the right of 
an appeal to superior authority. If he was actually aggrieved in 
this matter, or believed himself to be so, he had an unquestionable 
right to have the subject brought to the consideration of his and 
your common superior, the President of the United States. He 
prepared charges against you, (for his letter of the 16th of Novem¬ 
ber, to the Secretary of War, can be viewed in no other character,) 
and endeavored to send them through you, the only channel he could 
use without violating established regulations, to this common su¬ 
perior. For the matter contained in these charges against your¬ 
self, you have made a charge against him, forwarded it to the 
President, and asked for his trial by a court martial. If the 
course of proceeding which you propose in this case is sanctioned 
and carried out, you cannot but perceive that the precedent will 
be most fatal to the essential rights of all subordinate officers. If 
General Worth has been guilty of an offence, by preparing and at- 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


231 


tempting to transmit charges against you to the President, for 
wrongs and injuries alleged to have been inflicted by you on him, 
it seems to be a necessary consequence that, whatever may be the 
character of the wrongs and injuries inflicted upon subordinate of¬ 
ficers by their superiors, they cannot seek redress by appeal with¬ 
out being involved in a military offence. Whatever may be the 
injustice they suffer, the hope of remedy by appeal would be illu¬ 
sory, and the right to appeal worse than valueless, if, by the mere 
statement of their complaint, whether in the form of charges # or 
otherwise, for the action of a common superior, they would be 
liable to be arrested and tried before any investigation had been 
made of the truth or falsity of the matters therein set forth, and 
even before the appeal had reached the authority which alone 
could afford redress. Such a principle as this would, in its prac¬ 
tical operations, subvert justice and withhold protection from sub¬ 
ordinate officers. If General Worth cannot make an appeal to the 
President on account of your conduct towards him without com¬ 
mitting a military offence, and certainly he cannot if the statement 
of the matter of his complaint is an offence, it is difficult to per¬ 
ceive how any officer of inferior rank can carry an appeal to you, 
or any other common superior, for injustice or injury done to him 
by an officer of higher rank than himself, (though to appeal is the 
exercise of an unquestionable right,) without subjecting himself to 
a trial by a court martial; for every appeal which is not frivolous 
upon its face, must, in one form or another, impute to the officer 
complained of some military offence, and, consequently, on the 
principle of your proceeding against General Worth, the appealing 
officer would be subject to arrest and trial for the matter contained 
in his appeal. 

As long as it is possible that a subordinate officer may suffer 
wrong from a superior, justice, sound policy, and the good of the 
service, require and demand, that the avenue to address should not 
be obstructed ; but obstructed it would be in a most effectual man¬ 
ner, by the course of procedure which you have adopted in the 
case of General Worth. 

I am not unaware of the force of the considerations which may 
be urged against allowing the unrestricted right to subordinate 
officers to make complaints, and prefer charges, to a common su¬ 
perior, against those who have command over them. The right 
may be abused, it may be resorted to for the indulgence of ma¬ 
licious passions, to produce dissensions in the army, and to impair 
the rightful authority of commanding officers; but its liability to 
be perverted to mischievous purposes is not a sufficient argument 
to prove that it should not be sustained, or its benefits be destroyed 
by the assumption in the first place, without proof, that the right 
has not been exercised in good faith and with justifiable motives, 
and then, upon that assumption, to institute proceedings for a 
military offence against the appealing, and, it may be, much in¬ 
jured officer, fairly seeking the redress to which he is entitled. 
Eut this right of appeal can rarely, or never be abused with im¬ 
punity. The abuse of it is an offence which can and should be 



232 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


punished, but it is quite important that the mode of punishing the 
abuse should not be such as to destroy or impair the right. To 
illustrate my views by the very case under consideration : If it 
shall appear that General Worth has falsely and knowing-ly 
charged you with u malice against him,” and of u having acted 
in a manner unbecoming an officer and a gentleman towards him,” 
he has in that committed an offence for which he may and should 
be punished; but, before investigation, it is no more to be as¬ 
sumed that your charges against him are true than his against 
you are so. Both law and natural justice require that the order 
of events should be pursued in such cases. The charges which he 
prefers against you should be first disposed of, before proceedings 
can be instituted against him for malice in preferring those charges, 
or for presenting such as he did not know or believe to be well 
founded. Your charges against him go upon the ground that he is 
a malicious prosecutor of you. It is a well established principle, 
that no man can be proceeded against as a malicious prosecutor 
while the suit, which is alleged to be malicious, is pending ; that 
must be disposed of before a suit for malicious prosecution can be 
instituted. 

In this view of the case, and it is the one which the President 
has taken, the charges which General Worth has presented against 
you must be disposed of before any proceedings can be had on that 
which you have presented against him. 

Though you have not stated that General Worth is under arrest 
on your charge against him, yet it is believed he is. An order will, 
therefore, be sent with this communication for his discharge 
from it. 

Considering the nature and multiplicity of the matters embraced 
in the charges preferred against Major General Pillow and Brevet 
Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, especially the former, (some of w r hich 
are hardly consistent with your official reports and commendations,) 
the great difficulty, not to say impracticability, of assembling, at 
this time, a general court martial of officers, not connected with the 
transactions to be investigated, of such rank as the law requires for 
the trial of a major general, and the serious detriment which the 
public interest must unavoidably suffer by withdrawing, at the pre¬ 
sent crisis, for so long a time as the trial will be likely to last, frpm 
their important commands and staff duties, so many general officers 
to constitute the court, the President feels compelled, by a high 
sense of duty, to prefer proceeding by a court of inquiry. Such a 
court can be organized with much less danger of a sacrifice to the 
public interest than a general court martial; it can much better ac¬ 
commodate its proceedings to the exigencies of the service, and 
will, it is almost certain, much abridge the labors of a court mar¬ 
tial, if one should become necessary. Another advantage of pro¬ 
ceeding, in the first instance, by a court of inquiry, is, that other 
matters, not embraced in the charges relating to the same, and 
other officers may be properly submitted to its investigation at any 
time during its session. I am, therefore, directed by the President 
to inform you that a court of inquiry has been ordered to sit in 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


233 


Mexico, to which will be referred for examination all the charges 
presented against General Pillow and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 
Duncan, as well as the charges or complaint of Brevet Major Gen¬ 
eral Worth against yourself; and that the prosecution of Gen¬ 
eral Pillow and Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, on charges pre¬ 
ferred against them, before a court martial will be deferred until 
the proceedings of the court of inquiry shall be received by the 
President. 

If these officers have been arrested, the President, not seeing any 
good reason for continuing them in that situation during the 
session of the court, will direct them to be released therefrom. 

A copy of the order instituting a court of inquiry will be here¬ 
with transmitted to you. 

The proceedings of the court of inquiry relative to the two 
howitzers, alleged to have been taken by General Pillow from Cha- 
pultepec, have not been received at this department. Y 4 ou will 
cause them to be forwarded, if it has not been already done. 

You refer, in one of the charges against General Pillow, to an 
appeal made by him to you in regard to the proceedings of that 
court; but no appeal, duplicate or copy, has been received by me or 
at the department, either from yourself or General Pillow. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. Army , Mexico. 


General Orders, ) 

No. 2. 5 

War Department, 

Adjutant Generates Office , Washington, January 13, 1848. 

The following order, received from the Secretary of War, is pub¬ 
lished for the information and guidance of the officers concerned: 

War Department, January 13, 1848. 

By direction of the President of the United States, a court of 
inquiry, to consist of Brevet Brigadier General N. Towson, pay¬ 
master general, Brigadier General Caleb Cushing, and Colonel E. 
G. W. Butler, 3d dragoons, members, will assemble in Mexico, to 
inquire and examine into the charges and allegations preferred by 
Major General Winfield Scott against Major General Gideon J. 
Pillow and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel James Duncan, captain of 
the 2d regiment of artillery, and the charges or matters of com¬ 
plaint, presented by way of appeal, by Brevet Major General W. 
J. Worth, colonel of the 8th regiment of infantry, against Major 
General Winfield Scott; and also into any other matters connected 
with the same, as Well as such other transactions as may be sub¬ 
mitted to the consideration of the court; and after duly investiga- 




234 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


ting the same, the court will report the facts in each case, together 
with its opinion thereon, for the information of the President. 

The court will convene on the 18th day of February next, or as 
soon thereafter as practicable, in the castle of Perote, Mexico, 
where it will continue to hold its sittings, unless the exigencies of 
the public service may require the place to be changed, in which 
case the court is authorized to adjourn from place to place as cir¬ 
cumstances may render necessary, in order that no embarrassment 
to the service may be occasioned by its sessions. 

Should any of the members, named in the order, be prevented 
from attending, the court will proceed, and continue the business 
before it, provided the number of members present be within the 
limitations prescribed by law. 

First Lieutenant Richard P. Hammond, 3d artillery, is appointed 
to act as judge advocate and recorder of the court. In case the 
judge gdvocate and recorder should be prevented from attending, 
or unable to discharge the duties, the court is authorized to ap¬ 
point some other proper person, or devolve the duties of recorder 
upon the junior member. 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

By order. 

R. JONES, Adjutant General. 


War Department, 
Washington , January 13, 1848. 

Sir: In view of the present state of things in the army under 
your immediate command, and in compliance with the assurance 
contained in my reply to your letter of the 4th of June, wherein . 
you ask to be recalled, the President has determined to relieve you 
from further duty as commanding general in Mexico. You are, 
therefore, ordered by him to turn over the command of the army 
to Major General Butler, or, in his absence, to the officer highest 
in rank with the column under you, together with all instructions 
you have received in relation to your operations and duties as gen¬ 
eral in chief command, and all records and papers properly be¬ 
longing or appertaining to the general head-quarters. 

Desirous to secure a full examination into all the matters em¬ 
braced in the several charges which you have presented against 
Major General Pillow and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, as 
well as the charges or grounds of complaint presented against you 
by Brevet Major General Worth, and deeming your presence be¬ 
fore the court of inquiry which has been organized to investigate 
these matters indispensably necessary for this purpose, you are di¬ 
rected by the President to attend the said court of inquiry, where- 
ever it may hold its sittings; and when your presence before, or 
attendance upon, the court shall be no longer required, and you 



[Ex. Doc. No. 56. 235 


are notified of that fact by the court, you will report in person at 
this department for further orders. 

The original papers to which you refer, as well as all others 
which it is anticipated may be wanted on the investigations, will 
be forwarded to the court of inquiry. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 


Major General Winfield Scott, 

Commanding U. S. Army : Mexico.. 


War Department, 
Washington , January 19, 1848. 

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith duplicates of the 
despatch and enclosures forwarded on the 13th instant by Colonel 
Conrad F. Jackson, and an order, since issued, modifying, in some 
respects, the order therewith, sent for a court of inquiry. 

I omitted, in that communication, to acknowledge the receipt of 
a copy of a memoir on the revenue of the Mexican republic, trans¬ 
mitted by you, and received at this department on the 6th instant. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Scott, 

4 Commanding U « S. Army , Mexico. 


General Orders, 

No. 3. 

War Department, Adjutant General’s Office, 

Washington , January 17, 1848. 

The following order, received from the Secretary of War, is pub¬ 
lished for the information and guidance of the officers concerned: 

War Department, 
January 17, 1848. 

By direction of the President, the order of the 13th instant, in¬ 
stituting a court of inquiry, with instructions to convene in the 
castle of Perote, Mexico, on the 18th of February, is changed and 
modified by detailing Brevet Colonel Belknap, lieutenant colonel 
of the 5th regiment of infantry, a member, in place of Colonel 
Butler, 3d dragoons, relieved; and appointing Captain S. C. Ridge- 
ly, of the 4th regiment of artillery, the judge advocate and recor¬ 
der, in place of First Lieutenant Hammond, of the 3d regiment of 
artillery. 





236 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


The court will assemble in the city of Puebla, on the 18th day of 
February next, or as soon thereafter as practicable, instead of the 
castle of Perote, with the same discretionary power to adjourn from 
place to place, as authorized in the original order for its institu¬ 
tion. 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

By order: 

R. JONES, 
Adjutant General. 


No. 40. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , December 17, 1847. 

Sir: The troop of Louisiana horse under Captain Fairchild, that 
so handsomely escorted up from Yera Cruz Mr. Doyle, the British 
charge d’affaires, being about to return to its station, I avail myself 
of the opportunity to write to the department. 

I invite attention to my order, No. 376, and particularly to its 
seventh paragraph. Since its publication, I have seen in a slip, 
cut from a Yera Cruz newspaper, (received here by a merchant,) 
what purports to be a letter, dated the 17th ultimo, from the de¬ 
partment to me on the same subject. 

I have taken great pains to obtain correct information in respect 
to the production and exportation of the [precious metals in and 
from this country. The Mexican policy has been uniform against 
the exportation of bars and ingots, though occasionally, from want 
or cupidity, special licenses have been given, in violation of that 
sound policy, and in gross violation of the rights purchased by the 
renters of mints. This army is also interested in the same prohi¬ 
bition, for if we permit the exportation of bars and ingots, there 
will be but little domestic coinage, our draughts will soon be under 
par, and the Mexicans, from the want of a sufficient circulating 
medium, be the less able to pay the contributions which we pro¬ 
pose to levy upon them through their civil authorities.- 

It may further be remarked, that a duty of five per centum on 
the exportation of coins has been found more productive at the 
custom houses than a larger per centage, as that limited amount is 
something less than the risk of smuggling. 

I have already transmitted a very sensible memoir on the finances 
of this republic, which I procured with some difficulty, and now 
send a smaller one, limited to the exportation of the precious met¬ 
als. I invite attention to those papers. 

Having just procured the voluminous report, including all the 
necessary tables, of the Mexican minister of finance for 1843, 
printed the following year, I am at present engaged in the study 
of the documents, to enable me to publish the details supplemental 
to general orders, No. 376. That order was hastened to prevent, as 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


237 


far as I could, payments to the federal government at Queretaro, 
for any part of the current month, and, with a view to an early dis¬ 
tribution among commanders in distant states occupied by our 
arms. 

Major General Butler’s and Lieutenant Colonel Johnston’s col¬ 
umns will be here to-day, to-morrow, and the next day; and in a 
week I propose to despatch one column to San Luis de Potosi, 
When, or whether, I shall have a sufficient independent force for 
Zacatecas, is yet, to me, quite uncertain. The San Luis column, 
with a view to Tampico and, in part, to Zacatecas, is the more im¬ 
portant, and may be enlarged to, perhaps, 7,000 men. 

The following distances from the Mexican official itineraries 
may be useful: from the capital to Queretaro, is 57 leagues, or 
142 miles; thence to Zacatecas, 282 miles—the two distances ma¬ 
king 424. From the capital to San Luis, is 113 leagues, or 382 
miles, (Queretaro may be avoided,) and, in continuance by that 
route, 260 miles to Tampico, or 134 to Zacatecas. Thus, from 
Mexico, via San Luis, to Tampico, is 642 miles, and to Zacatecas, 
516; whereas, the distance from Zacatecas to Tampico is but 398. 
Zacatecas, therefore, may be advantageously reached, or its trade 
opened with Tampico, via San Luis. The difficulty is, to occupy 
the state capitals of Guanajuato, &c., without passing through and 
including Queretaro, the temporary capital of the federal govern¬ 
ment; and I am reluctant to disturb that government whilst it con¬ 
tinues intent on a peace with us, without further knowledge of the 
views at Washington on the subject. That information I hope 
soon to receive; and, if in favor of covering the country, to hear 
of the approach of reinforcements behind the column of Brigadier 
General Marshall, now, I suppose, as far advanced as Jalapa. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To the Hon. Secretary of War. 


No. 41.' 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , December 25, 1847. 

Sir: As I had apprehended, (in report No. 37,) Lieut. Colonel 
Johnston’s train has returned without one blanket, coat, jacket, or 
pair of pataloons, the small depot at Yera Cruz having been ex¬ 
hausted by the troops under Generals Patterson, Butler, and Mar¬ 
shall, respectively, all fresh from home or the Brassos, and, as in 
the case of other arrivals, since June, without clothing! The regi¬ 
ments that came with me must, therefore, remain naked, or be sup¬ 
plied with very inferior garments, of every color and at high prices, 
as we may possibly be able to find the poor materials and cause them 
t© be made up here. This disappointment may delay any distant 
expedition for mai(y weeks; for some of the new volunteer^ are 
also calling for essential articles of clothing. 




238 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Referring again to former letters on the subject, I beg leave to 
add that every old regiment forwarded, more thap a twelve month 
ago, its usual annual requisition for clothing, which has never ar¬ 
rived, or it has been issued as above. With excessive labor I had 
brought the old regiments—volunteers as well as regulars—favored 
by our long but necessary halts at Vera Cruz, Jalapa, and Puebla, 
to respectable degrees of discipline, instruction, conduct, and 
economy. The same intolerable work, at general head-quarters, is 
to be perpetually renewed, or all the credit heretofore acquired by 
this army for moral conduct, as well as gallantry and prowess in 
the field, will be utterly lost by new arrivals, and there is no hope 
of bringing up to the proper standard distant posts and detachments. 
These cannot be governed by any written code of orders or instruc¬ 
tions sent from a distance. I do not mean to accuse the reinforce¬ 
ments, generally, of deficiency in valor, patriotism, or moral char¬ 
acter. Far from it; but among all'new levies, of whatever deno¬ 
mination, there are always a few miscreants in every hundred, 
enough, without discipline , to disgrace the entire mass,* and what 
is infinitely worse—the country that employs them. My daily dis¬ 
tresses under this head weigh me to the earth. 

I am about to send a detachment, the 9th infantry, under Colonel 
Withers, to Pachuca, near the great mines of Real del Monte, some 
fifty miles to the northeast. There is an assay office at Pachuca, 
to which a large amount of silver bullion is soon to be brought, 
and if we have not troops present, the federal officers of Mexico 
will seize the assay duties to our loss. I shall send another de¬ 
tachment, in a few days, to occupy Toluca, the capital of this State, 
with the general object of securing the contribution claimed for 
our military chest.—See general orders, No. 376, paragraph 5. I 
am nearly ready to publish the details promised in the tenth para¬ 
graph of that order. I have found them very difficult to obtain 
and to methodize. 

There will, I apprehend, be no difficulty in collecting at the assay 
offices and mints, within our reach, the ordinary internal dues on 
the precious metals. As to other internal dues and taxes, (not abol¬ 
ished by my order, No. 376,) I propose to find the net amount paid, 
to the federal government, for example, by the State of Vera Cruz 
for 1843, and to assess that sum, in mass, upon the State, to be paid 
into our military chest, a twelfth at the end of every month, by 
the State government, and so of the other States which are or may 
be occupied by our troops. Each State will be required to collect 
the amount claimed, according to the federal assessment for the 
year 1843, under certain penalties, which may be the seizure, with¬ 
out payment, of the supplies needed for the support of the occupa¬ 
tion, and particularly the property of the State functionaries, legis¬ 
lative and executive, with the imprisonment of their persons, &c. 
&c., &c. The fear is, those functionaries may abdicate, and leave 
the States without governments. In such event, the like penalties 
will be, so far as practicable, enforced. 

The success of the system—on the details of which I am now, 
with ample materials, employed—depends on our powers of con- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


239 


ciliation. With steady troops, I should not doubt the result; but 
the great danger lies in the want of that quality on the part of the 
new reinforcements, including the recruits of the old regiments. 
The average number of disorders and crimes, always committed by 
undisciplined men, with inexperienced officers, may destroy the 
best concerted plans, by exasperating the inhabitants and rendering 
the war, on their part, national, interminable, and desperate. 

It will be perceived that I do not propose to seize the ordinary 
State or city revenues, as that would, in my humble judgment, be 
to make war on civilization, as no community can escape absolute 
anarchy without civil government, and all government must have 
some revenue for its support. I shall take care, however, to see 
that the means collected within any particular State or city, for 
that purpose, are moderate and reasonable. 

It cannot be doubted that there is a considerable party in this 
country in favor of annexing it entire to the United States. How 
far that desire may be reciprocated at home, I know not and it 
would be impertinent in a soldier to inquire. I am here (whilst I 
remain) to execute the military orders of my government. But, as 
a soldier, I suppose it to be my duty to offer a suggestion on the 
subject, founded on professional and local knowledge, that may not 
occur to the minds ot statesmep. 

Annexation and military occupation would be, if we maintain 
the annexation, one and the same thing, as to the amount of force 
to be employed by us; for if, after the formal act, by treaty or 
otherwise, we should withdraw our troops, it cannot be doubted 
that all Mexico, or rather the active part thereof, would again re¬ 
lapse into a permanent state of revolution, beginning with one 
against annexation. The great mass of this people have always 
been passive under every form of government that has prevailed in 
the country, and the turbulent minority, divided into ins and outs , 
particularly the military demagogues, are equally incapable of self- 
government, and delight in nothing but getting power by revolu¬ 
tion, and abusing that power when obtained. 

I still entertain the belief that propositions, looking to a peace, 
will be submitted by the incoming government here, in all the next 
month; but that any concession of boundaries, satisfactory to the 
United States, would, on the withdrawment of our forces, create a 
revolt or the overthrow of that government, with a nullification 
of the treaty, I hold to be events more than probable. In the mean 
time it would be highly advantageous to me, officially, to have an 
early intimation of the views of our government as to the terms of 
a treaty that would now be satisfactory, only to prevent a wrong 
distribution of the troops in respect to those unknown views. 

I have received no unacknowledged communication from the de¬ 
partment. The letter of the 17th ultimo, published, as I have 
heretofore mentioned, in a Vera Cruz newspaper, has not come to 
hand, but I am daily expecting a mail up from that city. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your obedient 
servant, 

Ta the Hon. Secretary of War. 


WINFIELD SCOTT. 



240 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


General Orders, ) Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. 376. j Mexico , December 15, 1847. 

1. This army is about to spread itself over and to occupy the 
the republic of Mexico, until the latter shall sue for peace on 
terms acceptable to the government of the United States. 

2. On the occupation of the principal point or points in any 
State, the payment to the federal government of this republic of 
all taxes or dues, of whatever name or kind, heretofore—say, in 
the year 1844—payable or collected by that government, is abso¬ 
lutely prohibited, as all such taxes dues will be demanded of 
the proper civil authorities for the support of the army of occu¬ 
pation. 

3. The State and federal district of Mexico being already so oc¬ 
cupied, as well as the States of Vera Cruz, Puebla, and Tamaulipas, 
the usual taxes or dues, heretofore contributed by the same to the 
federal government, will be considered as due and payable to this 
army from the beginning of the present month, and will early be 
demanded of the civil authorities of the said States and districts, 
under rules and penalties which shall be duly announced and en¬ 
forced. 

4. Other States of this republic, as the Californias, New Mexico, 
Chihuahua, Coahuila, New Leon, &c., &c., already occupied by 
the forces of the United States, though not under the immediate 
orders of the general-in-chief, will conform to the prescriptions of 
this order, except in such State or States where a different system 
has been adopted with the sanction of the government at Wash¬ 
ington. 

5. The internal taxes or dues referred to are : 1. Direct taxes; 
2. Duties on the production of gold and silver; 3. Melting and 
assaying dues; 4. The tobacco rent; 5. The rent of stamped paper; 

6. The rent on the manufacture of playing cards; and 7. The rent 
of post offices. 

6. The rent of national lotteries is abolished, lotteries being 
hereby prohibited. 

7. Import and export duties, at the ports of the republic, will 
remain as fixed by the government of the United States, except 
that the exportation of gold and silver in bars or ingots ( plata y 
ora en pasta) is prohibited until the further instructions of that 
government on the subject. 

8. All imported articles, goods, or commodities, which have once 
paid, or given sufficient security for the payment of, duties to the 
United States, at any port of entry of the republic, shall not again 
be burdened with any tax or duty in any part of this republic oc¬ 
cupied by the forces of the United States. 

9. The levying of duties on the transit of animals, goods, or 
commodities, whether of foreign or domestic growth, from one 
State of this republic to another, or on entering or leaving the gate 
of any city within the republic, will, from and after the beginning 
of the ensuin-g year, be prohibited as far as the United States 
forces may have the power to enforce the prohibition. Other and 
equitable means;, to a moderate extent, must be resorted to by the 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 241 

several State and city authorities, for the necessary support of their 
respective governments. 

10. The tobacco, playing card, and stamped paper rents will be 
placed, for three, six, or twelve months, under contract with the 
highest bidders, respectively, for the several States—the State and 
federal district of Mexico being considered as one. Accordingly 
offers or bids for those rents within each State, or any one of them* 
are invited. They will be sent in as early as possible, sealed, to 
the head-quarters of commanders of departments, except for ? the 
federal district and State of Mexico. For the two latter, the offers 
or bids will be addressed to the generaf-in-chief. 

10. Further details for the execution of the foregoing system of ’ 
government and revenue will soon be given in general orders. 

By command of Major General Scott; 

A. A. A . G. 


Memoir on the exportation of the precious metals; transmitted by 

General Scott. 

The government of the United States proposes'that their forces 
should occupy the Mexican republic, and raise in said country the 
means to meet the expenses of the occupation. To obtain this ob¬ 
ject, it appears convenient that said resources should be raised so 
as to interfere as little as possible with the existing interests of 
foreign as well as of native residents; for if any measure calcu¬ 
lated to involve the ruin of part or the whole of said interests was 
taken, there is little or no doubt that the results would be as inju¬ 
rious to the interests of the United States as to those of the 
country, for the destiny of both interests, in case of occupation, is 
to link together. It appears that this recommendation, besides 
being fully justified by a sound policy, will also be the means of 
facilitating the organization of a financial system, and ultimately 
lead to the increase of the revenue. These observations are par¬ 
ticularly applicable to the exportation duties on gold or silver in 
bars, or gold or silver coined. 

The exportation of gold and silver in bars has been prohibited 
in this country by all the tariffs that have existed either under the 
Spanish or Mexican government; and although licenses of exporta¬ 
tion,-to a small amount, have every now and then been granted, 
the prohibition has been the rule, and the exportation the excep¬ 
tion, until the Mexican government, having rented all their mints, 
but two, to foreign companies, has taken the solemn engagement 
not to give any more licenses of exportation. As it may easily be 
supposed, this engagement of giving no new licenses of exporta¬ 
tion has been the principal basis on which the companies have 
relied to make their contracts, and the principal inducement for 
them to advance the rent as they have done. It is not known 
what policy will be adopted by the United States respecting neu- 






242 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


tral interests in Mexico, in case the country should be occupied by 
their armies; hut too high an opinion is entertained of the justice 
of their government to admit, for a moment, the possibility of such 
interests being sacrificed and ruined, when no direct benefit could 
be derived from such a measure for the United States, and when, 
on the contrary, it might be injurious to them, as it may be ex¬ 
plained. One of the principal objects which the American gov¬ 
ernment must have in view to obtain resources from this country, 
is to facilitate the circulation of specie; prohibiting the exporta¬ 
tion of bars, as it has been the case heretofore; to have them 
coined is undoubtedly the Best means to obtain it. A bar of silver 
or gold is a dead, unproductive capital, until it is converted into 
current specie; and all the time it lies in the chest of a Ranker or 
merchant, for a convoy to export it, it occasions a loss to the 
public wealth. In a country where communications are so diffi¬ 
cult, the loss that we speak of is of no small importance. Keep¬ 
ing up the prohibitory system interferes with no existing interest 
here; on the contrary, allowing the exportation interferes with 
large neutral interests engaged in the mints, w T hose coinage 
amounts to $15,000,000 yearly. With regard to revenues, and ad¬ 
mitting that the States decide upon levying an export duty on 
precious metals, it will be the same'whether this duty is levied 
on gold and silver in bars, and coined gold or silver, or on coined 
specie alone, for the amount of those duties will be the same. It 
would, therefore, not be a wise policy, that which, instead of 
adopting a measure calculated to create sympathies by respecting 
existing interests, would enforce one calculated to have the con¬ 
trary effect, when no direct benefit would be obtained from it. 

The tariff given by the United States for the Mexican ports al¬ 
lows the free exportation of gold and silver, either in bars or 
coined. Although it has been done perhaps with a liberal view, it 
would seem that the measure was taken to hostilize the Mexican 
government, preventing thus any advance from being made to said 
government on future export duties on silver or gold, and depriv¬ 
ing him of that resource. However, who would benefit by the 
free exportation of gold and silver! It is well known that nothing 
finds its own. level, respecting prices, as soon as the precious 
metals; and, therefore, as soon as the free exportation should have 
been carried into effect, there would have been in the exchange on 
England, France, and the United States, a difference equivalent to 
the duties taken off on the precious metals. Th£ free exportation 
would apparently have been advantageous to none but the miners; 
apparently is the word; for it is evident that the higher prices ob¬ 
tained by them at first, would have gradually come down until 
they were on a level with those obtained in Europe, and ulti¬ 
mately would have become lower than they are to-day; for it is 
not to be doubted that the free exportation of bars, partially or to¬ 
tally, occasioning the ruin of the mints, coined specie w T ould have 
disappeared from circulation, and that the miners would have been, 
for the sale of their produce, entirely at the mercy of the specu¬ 
lators, whilst the exportation being prohibited, the mints are 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


243 


obliged to pay them at any time a fixed price for their gold and 
silver, which cannot be altered. We have not to look very far 
back to give a proof of what we state. From 1813 to 1816, du¬ 
ring the war of the independence, the marc of silver which was 
paid by the mint of Mexico—the only one existing then in the 
country—at the rate of $9 per marc of pure silver, was bought in 
nearly all the mineral districts, especially in Zacatecas and Guan- 
axuata, which produce most, at $5; and the specie became so 
scarce that most miners had to stop their works on account of the 
impossibility of paying the miners. # 

Establishing a protecting duty on the exportation of bars, so as 
to make exportation of coined specie more advantageous, appears 
to be a useless measure; for if there is more advantage to export 
specie, it is clear enough that bars wull be left in the country to be 
coined. Why, then, alter the measure which has been taken to 
protect the mints, and change the prohibition of exportation for 
a protecting duty, when the same result is to be obtained, and 
when allowing exportation of bars, at a certain rate, will lead to 
no other result than to serve as a veil to cover a considerable 
fraud in the export duties'? It is, therefore, evident that it is more 
convenient to let the prohibition of exportation of silver and gold 
in bars subsist, inasmuch as no direct benefit can be‘derived for the 
United States by deviating from this system, and also as it is a 
sanction given to guaranties granted to neutral interests. 

If the occupation of the country is decided upon, the policy of 
the United States will not be the same as that adopted at the time 
Vera Cruz was taken; for they will require to raise a resource from 
the country, and unless a less vexatious or unliberal system can be 
found to replace the produce yielded, by the export duties on silver 
and gold coined, these duties must continue to be levied. 

All questions where precious metals are concerned are exces¬ 
sively delicate, and ought to be treated with the greatest care and 
with a profound knowledge of them and of the country where 
such questions are discussed. For it is seen that the free exporta¬ 
tion of gold and silver in bars from this country, which, at first 
sight, appears to be a well calculated liberal measure, would have 
no other result than to ruin the mints, and in consequence, to ruin 
the mining interest; which, of course, would create a very serious 
disturbance in the public wealth. 

The duties on silver, coined since 1843, were divided in circula¬ 
tion duties and export duties; the first was 4 per cent, levied on the 
specie going from the interior to the seaports, and the second was 
6 per cent, levied on the specie exported. The circulation duty 
proved to be a very impolitic measure, as it materially interfered 
with the circulation of specie; and the sudden raising of export 
duty from 3J to 6 per cent., encouraged contraband to such an ex¬ 
tent that the revenues seriously suffered from it. It would, there¬ 
fore, be advisable to suppress altogether the circulation duty, and 
reduce the export duty to5 per cent.,which on $20,000,000, would 
produce $1,000,000, yearly. 




244 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Correspondence between Major General Scott and the archbishop of 
Mexico, respecting the release of Mexican prisoners of war. 

[Translation.] 

Ecclesiastical Government of the 

Archbishopric of Mexico. 

Mexico , November 5, 1847. 

Most Excellent Sir : The respect which your excellency has 
manifested to the Mexican* church, (of which I am the unworthy 
head,) in calling upon me, has induced me to take advantage of the 
favorable disposition of your excellency to ask a favor which will 
perpetuate your memory, and will make known to the faithful mem¬ 
bers of my diocess the feeling of benevolence which you entertain 
towards them. 

A multitude of fathers, wives, children, brothers, and other re¬ 
lations of the prisoners who are now confined, under the order of 
your excellency, loudly entreat their liberty; and the prisoners 
themselves vehemently lament the many evils which their confine¬ 
ment has brought down upon their families, who depend upon them 
for subsistence, and who, consequently, are reduced to misery, and 
in many cases to an absolute state of indigence. Were there any 
important political reason why these prisoners should not be liber¬ 
ated,! should not have been so bold as to ask it, but their numbers 
is small, and distributed, as they will be, in different parts of the 
republic, their importance must be insignificant. 

I ask their liberty, not only because it is a duty of my office, but 
my heart also impels me to solicit some real consolation for these 
unfortunate men w'hom the fates of war have reduced to so lament¬ 
able a condition. And, as if they were sheep of*the flock most es¬ 
pecially entrusted to my care, I consider myself called upon to use 
my utmost endeavors in their favor, because in that character they 
have a right to demand my pastoral and most tender care. For the 
same reason, I wish to imitate the example of so many illustrious 
prelates, who, before now, have lent their good offices (not without 
success,) in cases of the same nature. Neither would I hesitate to 
constitute myself a prisoner in their stead, and willingly I would 
be the ransom of their liberty, as my faith obliges me even to be 
anathematized for the sake of my brethren. In our days, the brave 
General Lamoriciere, by the mediation of the bishop of Algiers, 
obtained the liberty of a considerable number of French prisoners 
from the barbarous Abdel Kader, and I take the liberty to recall to 
your excellency this notable trait of benevolence and magnanimity 
on the part of a man who is ignorant of the duties of Christian 
charity. General Scott, doubtless, has a heart equally noble and 
generous, nor to his Christian character, will be indifferent the me¬ 
diation of a Catholic archbishop who entreats your excellency, in 
the name of the church which he governs, to grant this favor. It 
is difficult to believe that after so many proofs of philanthropy, 
your excellency will not lend yourself to an act of clemency and 
generosity which the church will remember as a great favor, and 


Ex. Doe. No. 56. 245 

the annals of history as one of those noble actions peculiar to re¬ 
publican countries. 

I entreat God Almighty to preserve your excellency many years, 
and to incline your heart to grant to the Mexican prisoners the pre¬ 
cious gift of liberty. 

I am, with respect, the servant of your excellency, who loves you 
in Jesus Christ. 

JUAN MANUAIf, 
Archbishop of Cesarea. 

To the most excellent Don Winfield Scott, 

Major General and Commander-in-chief of the army 
of the U. S. of the north , in Mexico. 


[Reply.] 

Head-quarters of the Army of the U. S., 

Mexico , November 10, 1847. 

Sir : The request of your grace, on the part of the holy church 
of which you are the head, that I should release, on parole, the 
prisoners of war remaining in the hands of the American army, is 
entitled to the highest consideration. 

I beg to state what have been, heretofore, my practice and en¬ 
deavors on the subject of prisoners in this unhappy war between 
the United States and Mexico. 

At Vera Cruz, I very willingly stipulated that the Mexican gar¬ 
rison snould be permitted to return to their respective homes on 
parole , although I had.it in power to reduce the garrisons to uncon¬ 
ditional submission. 

At Cerro Gordo, the Mexican prisoners who surrendered at dis¬ 
cretion to the army under my command, were voluntarily and 
promptly paroled by me. 

I am sorry to say, that many of the officers and men released on 
those occasions, encouraged by the late Mexican authorities, are 
known to have violated their paroles. 

Of the prisoners captured by the army in the basin of Mexico, 
not an officer remains in confinement, except one who openly avowed 
his intention to resume arms against us, if left at large. Several of 
the general officers, who happened to be members of the supreme 
congress, I voluntarily discharged without exchange and without 
parole. 

July 12, from Puebla, I addressed a communication to the 
Mexican minister of foreign relations, demanding the release of cer¬ 
tain American prisoner of war, taken from the army of the Rio 
Grande, who had been exchanged by agreement between Generals 
Taylor and Santa Anna, immediately after the battle of Buena 
Vista or Angostura, but who were still held in close confinement 
contrary to that agreement; and at the same time, I proposed that 
commissioners should be appointed on the part of the two .armies, 
to agree upon a cartel for the general treatment and exchange of 
all prisoners of war in future. To this communication I received an 
evasive reply, when I addressed another to that minister, dated the 
29th of the same month. It is singular that the only reply received 



246 


Ex, Doc. No. 56. 


to my second communication I found here, in the palace, enveloped, 
sealed and addressed to me, bearing date August. 

In the armistice, agreed upon by the belligerents, in August, 
there was a stipulation (article 8) for the immediate release of the 
same American prisoners mentioned above. But this stipulation 
was also evaded and wholly neglected by the Mexican government, 
and I have since, on terms very disadvantageous to the United 
States, been obliged to exchange for the officeis of that party who 
were confined at Toluca. The rank and file of the same party 
were, at the time, confined at some place far in the direction of 
Tampico. I learn, unofficially, that they have been recently per¬ 
mitted to return home by the way of that port. 

But the application of your grace comes to me. under sanctions 
too high to be neglected. 

I therefore beg to say, that if your grace will have the goodness 
to appoint some dignitary of the church to visit the Mexican 
prisoners of war (rank and file, or common men,) now confined in 
this capital, and explain to them the customs and usages of war in 
such cases, viz: that prisoners, released on parole, are always put to 
death, if taken in arms against the same belligerents before being 
duly exchanged; and add the solemn admonition of the church 
against 'the violation of their paroles, I will, immediately, under 
that holy sanction, cause the said prisoners to be released on parole , 
so that they may return to their ^respective families, friends, and 
peaceful occupations. 

I have the honor, &c. 

WINFIELD SCOTT, 

To the most illustrious Archbishop of Mexico. 


[Translation.] 

Ecclesiastical Government of the 

Archbishopric of Mexico, 

Mexico , December 16, 1847. 

Most Excellent Sir: The undersigned has the honor to inform 
your excellency that he is willing to fulfil all the conditions, as 
laid down in your considerate note of November 10th, in which 
your excellency had the generosity to offer to place at liberty 
the Mexican prisoners. Therefore, I have only to beg that your 
excellency will be pleased to name the day and hour at which 
I will go personally to administer the requisite oath, and thereby 
obtain their liberty; an action which, I repeat to your excellency, 
will remain eternally engraved on the records of the Mexican 
church, and on the heart of the undersigned, who assures your ex¬ 
cellency of his respect and consideration. 

May God our Lord preserve your excellency many years. 

JUAN MANUEL, 

- Archbishop of Cesarea . 

To his excellency the General-in-chief 

Of the Army of the United States. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

[Reply.] 


247 


Head quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , December 21, 1847. 

Most Illustrious and Reverend Sir: In reference to the letter 
of your grace, of the 16th instant, which I had the honor to receive, 
and the acknowledgment of which has been unavoidably and most 
reluctantly delayed, I now beg leave to say, if acceptable, that I 
will, to-morrow, at meridian, cause Lieutenant Colonel Hitchcock, 
inspector general of this army, with the general officer of the day, 
to be present at the acordada of this city, then and there, on my 
part, to carry out the humane arrangement heretofore contemplated 
by the parties to this correspondence, in respect to the Mexican 
prisoners of war confined in that place, excepting the officer 
alluded to in my reply to your grace, dated the 10th ultimo. 

If the time appointed above be acceptable, a simple message to 
that effect will be sufficient. 

I have the honor, &c. &c. 

WINFIELD SCOTT 

To the Archbishop of Cesarea , fyc. fyc. fyc. 


[Translation.] 

Ecclesiastical Government of the 

Archbishopric of Mexico, 

Mexico , December 23, 1847. 

Most Excellent Sir: The undersigned has the honor to inform 
your excellency that yesterday morning he administered the oath 
to the prisoners, to the number of eight hundred and odd, to whom 
he addressed the exhortation, a copy of which is herewith enclosed, 
and at the same time gave to each a safeguard which exempts the 
bearer from being obliged to serve in the present or other cam¬ 
paigns, unless exchanged in the manner prescribed by the laws of 
war. Your excellency having fulfilled your part by giving them 
their liberty, nothing now remains for me to do, except to give 
your excellency the thanks which are due, in the name of the holy 
church, of the prisoners, and of him who respectfully subscribes 
this communication. 

May God our Lord preserve your excellency many years. 

JUAN MANUEL, 
Archbishop of Cesarea . 

To his excellency the General-in-chief 

Of the Army of the United States . 

The foregoing are true copies. 

T. WILLIAMS, Aid-de-camp . 



248 


Ex, Doc. No. 5@. 


[Translation.] 

OATH. 

Do you swear before God our Lord and on this Holy Cross, that 
you will not take up arms during the present war , unless duly ex¬ 
changed ? u Yes, I swear.’ 5 Should you keep your oath may God 
reward you; if not, may he call you to an account. 

ADDRESS. 

Beloved children in Jesus Christ: 

By the oath which you have just taken before me, and in which 
you have taken the Lord as witness, you have solemnly promised 
that you will not take up arms, during the present campaign [war] 
against the North American troops; it is a binding oath which, con¬ 
scientiously, and under pain of sinning, you are obliged to keep 
until such a time, when, being duly exchanged, you will be able to 
take up arms, should circumstances require it. I could prove to 
you by thousands of authorities and reasons, how detestable is a 
sinner, and the severe punishments, (even temporal,) by which the 
Lord has made manifest how much he hates those who profane the 
holy name of God; how* abominable to him are those who proffer 
with the mouth promises which they are determined not.to keep, 
and, finally, the curses and anathemas with which the Holy Scrip¬ 
tures are filled against those who, with deceitful lips, either swear 
falsely or are determined not to keep their oaths. 

In the present case there is even more, for those -who again take 
up arms, unless duly exchanged, are liable to be put to death 
should they fall into the hands of the enemy; and according to the 
laws and usages of war, should that happen, such a course could 
not be attributed to cruelty. 

I, in the name of the Mexican church, requested your absolute 
liberty, and even offered myself to be a prisoner in your stead, and 
now that I have obtained it, although on conditions of your 
faking the oath, I will give, in the name of the Holy Apostolical 
Roman Catholic church, and in your name, the thanks which are 
due to the general-in-chief,for his consideration and deference. 

I therefore trust that you will be faithful to your oath until the 
time when, under better auspices, you will recover your rights as 
freemen and Mexican citizens. Let not the fear of being obliged, 
by force, to perjure yourselves, make you hesitate, for I am certain 
that our supreme government will respect your position and the 
promise that binds you. This I affirm to you on my word, sacred 
by my high office and faithful because it has never lied or deceived. 
Go forth, then, with joy and content, beloved children, for you have 
deserved well of your country, for you fulfilled your duty by de¬ 
fending it until made prisoners. Go forth, and return to the peace¬ 
ful bosom of your families and maintain them with the fruits of 


Ex Doc. No. 56. 


249 

your labor, and teach to your children that patriotism of which, 
by the fortune of war, you have been illustrious victims. 

This is the advice and exhortation of your father, who blesses 
you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Gost. 

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CESAREA. 

A true copy. 

; T. WILLIAMS, Aid-de-camp. 


Gobierno Ecclesiastico del Arzobispado. 

[Translation.] 

This attests that-was sworn on this day, and incurred the 

obligation not to take up arms, during the present war, against the 
troops of the army of the United States, without being previously 
exchanged; and, for his security, I have signed it at Mexico this 
22d December, 1847. 

DR. JOSI BRANLIO SAGACETA, 

Secretario. 

El Arzoeispo de Cesarea. 


Gobierno del Distrit Federal. 

[Translation.] 

This document is ratified by the undersigned, as governor of the 
federal district, Mexico, December 22, 1847. 

LIC. LEANDRO ESTRADA, 

Secretario „ 

Manuel R. Yeramendi. 


War Department, 
Washington , March 11, 1848. 

Sir: On receiving your despatch of the 25th of December last, 
wherein you express your disappointment at not finding a supply 
of clothing at Yera Cruz, I referred to the quartermaster general 
the part of . your letter relating to the subject. 1 herewith send 
you his reply. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 


Major General Scott, 4rc., 4rc-, 4rc.. 






250 


Ex. Doc. No. 56, 


Quartermaster General’s Office, 

Washington City , February 18, 1848. 

Sir: In reply to the complaint of General Scott, in his despatch 
of the 25th of December, that Lieutenant Colonel Johnson’s train 
had returned without one blanket , coat , jacket , or pair of pantaloons , 
the small depot at Vera Cruz having been exhausted by the troops 
under Generals Patterson, Butler and Marshall, respectively, all 
fresh from home, I have the honor to state that if the facts are as 
set forth by General Scott, the responsibility lies at other doors 
than mine. Understanding fully his views and wishes, I made am¬ 
ple provision for the old corps under his command; those corps, I 
believe, never exceeded in the aggregate seven thousand men; to 
supply them, I placed in depot at Vera Cruz eleven thousand forage 
caps; fourteen thousand wool jackets, and four thousand cotton 
jackets; fifteen thousand flannel shirts, and seventeen thousand cot¬ 
ton shirts; eighteen thousand pairs of wool overalls, and four thou¬ 
sand pairs of cotton overalls; seventeen thousand pairs of flannel 
drawers; thirty-seven thousand pairs of bootees, (I ordered fifty 
thousand pairs ;) twenty-seven thousand pairs of stockings; two 
thousand four hundred great coats, and nine thousand two hundred 
blankets. These supplies were all sent to Yera Cruz previous to 
the 30-th of June. 

I made no provision for the volunteers, for you are well aware 
I had not a single cent that I could legally apply to the purchase 
of clothing for them. If the generals named by General Scott ex¬ 
hausted the clothing placed in depot at Yera Cruz, by applying it 
to the use of their respective commands, they acted in violation of 
the 36th article of war, and the general should hold them account¬ 
able. 

It is known here that several thousand suits of clothing, sent to 
New Orleans and Mexico for the old army, have been issued to the 
new regiments and to volunteers; but General Scott is mistaken in 
supposing that the depot at Yera Cruz was entirely exhausted by 
those issues; for I have official information that as late as the 6th 
of December, some time after Lieutenant Colonel Johnson’s train 
left Vera Cruz, there still remained in the depot at that post, eight 
thousand forage caps; three thousand nine hundred wool coats and 
jackets; and six thousand nine hundred cotton jackets; nineteen 
hundred wool, and seven thousand seven hundred cotton overalls; 
twenty seven hundred flannel, and thirteen thousand seven hundred 
cotton shirts; fifteen thousand six hundred pairs of drawers; two 
thousand seven hundred great coats, and seven thousand blankets; 
and eleven thousand pairs of bootees. 

If the.volunteers and new regiments’went to Mexico without the 
proper supplies, that was the fault of those who commanded them. 
General Butler, I understand, was specially directed to superintend 
the organization, equipment and movement of the volunteer force. 
It was his business, not mine, to see that they were properly clothed 
and supplied; and neither he, General Patterson, nor General 
Marshall, had any right to take for their commands the supplies I 
had placed at Yera Cruz for General Scott’s old regiments. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


251 


For the new regiments I had made timely arrangements, and 
would have sent to Vera Cruz, in November, a large supply of cloth¬ 
ing; but I received in October a report from Captain Irwin, the 
acting quartermaster general of General Scott’s army, dated at the 
city of Mexico the 27th of September, of which the following is an 
extract: u I have now a thousand people engaged in making clothing 
the quality of the material is not so good as our own , and the price 
on t\e average is fifty per cent higher. Stilly supposing the road 
between this and Vera Cruz to be entirely open , I think the govern¬ 
ment will lose little if anything by purchasing here. 1 shall be 
able to fill , in a very short time , every requisition which has been 
made on me, with clothing , which though not exactly of our uniform , 
will be comfortable and good.” 

This information, sir, was from a man who not only knew how 
to supply an army, by putting into requisition all the resources of 
the country around him, but was better qualified to command a 
large army than most of your generals in the field. The report of 
Captain Irwin delayed my action here, but in December, I ordered 
from Philadelphia a supply of clothing sufficient for the whole 
army, regulars and volunteers. 

To enable me to do this, I have been obliged to apply, on my own 
responsibility, three hundred and sixty-eight thousand dollars of 
the funds of the quartermaster’s department to the purchase of 
clothing, and to authorize purchases to be made on credit, which 
have beem paid for by bills drawn on me at ninety days, which I 
have accepted, hoping Congress, by making an appropriation, will 
enable me to meet them by the time they become due. 

I have the honor to be sir, your obedient servant, 

TH. S. JESUP, 
Quartermaster General. 

The Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War , Washington City. 


No. 42. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , January 6 , 1848. 

Sir: Nothing of interest has occurred since my report of the 26th 
ultimo, not even the arrival of a mail; but a private conveyance 
brought up yesterday a letter from Brigadier General Marshall, 
representing that he was at Jalapa the 22d ultimo, with a column 
of troops, (number not given,) one-half of w T hom were on the sick 
report, with measles and diarrhoea, and that he had sent back his 
train to Vera Cruz for medicines and other supplies. He gave no 
day for the recommencement of his march. 

The number on the sick report, in this basin, is also,great. In a 
total of 14,964, we'have only 11,162 “ for duty.” The measles are 
rife among the new volunteers. 

Colonel Withers, with the 9th infantry, occupied Pachuca, 



252 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


quietly, more than a week ago. Brigadier General Cadwalader, 
with the remainder of his brigade, will march for Lerma and 
Toluca (State capital, 38 miles off, in a direction opposite to Pa- 
chuca) to-day. The general object in occupying the three cities 
is, to commence levying the assessments for the last month, and, 
through them, to enforce peace. 

Please see copies of general orders, Nos. 395 and 8, herewith. 

The tobacco monopoly I have thought it necessary to abolisi^. It 
would be worthless without a prohibition of the plant at the cus¬ 
tom-houses, and I doubted whether our government, considering 
the interests of some five of our own tobacco growing States, would 
prohibit the importation. Again, to protect the monopoly, includ¬ 
ing licenses to cultivators, would require a host of excisemen. 
Probably a reasonable duty on importation will give larger net 
receipts, for a year or two, than could be derived, in that time, 
from any monopoly, however strictly enforced. 

Like difficulties, in management, caused me to relinquish to the 
Mexican States, respectively, the stamped paper and playing card 
monopolies. More than a substitute will be found in the quadru¬ 
pling of the direct assessments on the States. 

From the want of sufficient numbers to send, at once, columns of 
5,000 men each, to Zacatecas and San Louis de Potosi, respectively, 
I next proposed to despatch to the latter place a force of 7,000, 
which would be sufficient to open the channel of commerce between 
Tampico and Zacatecas, a distance of 394 miles, and, by Ihe oper¬ 
ation, double, perhaps, the receipts at that sea port, as well as the 
interior dues on the precious metals. The commercial wealth of 
Durango would soon fall into the same channel. But assuming 
7,000 men as the minimum force for this neighborhood, including 
the capital, Chapultepec, Pachuca, Lerma, and Toluca, I am obliged 
to wait for further reinforcements to make up the one column for 
San Luis. The delay of Brigadier General Marshall, who had been 
expected daily for nearly a week, is, therefore, quite a vexatious 
disappointment. Possibly before his arrival—should the measles 
here have earlier subsided—I may risk a column of 5,000 men, 
leaving, for a time, two intermediate posts vacant, and instruct the 
commander (Major General Butler) to take into his sphere of opera¬ 
tions a part of the forces belonging to the base of the Rio Grande. 
A detachment moving upon Tula, and, perhaps, leaving Victoria to 
the left, might c< -operate very advantageously with the forces at 
the new centre, San Luis, and without endangering the line of 
Monterey, in which direction, it is supposed, the Mexicans cannot 
have any formidable number of organized troops. To concert the 
double movement, by correspondence, would be the principal diffi¬ 
culty; but ample discretion would be allowed in my general 
instructions. 

Many of the States of this republic, on account of their remote¬ 
ness from the common centre, sparseness of population, and 
inability to pay more than a trifle in the way of contributions, are 
not worth being occupied. Their influence on the question of 
peace or war is, proportionally, inconsiderable. As reinforcements 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 253 

arrive, I shall therefore endeavor to occupy only the more popu¬ 
lous and wealthy States. 

Most of the mints (all but two, I learn) have been farmed by for¬ 
eigners for terms of years, (unexpired,) on the payment of large 
sums in advance. The principal mint (here) is in the hands of the 
British consul general, who paid down about $200,000, in February 
last, for his term of ten years, and contracted to pay, currently, one 
per centum on the amount of coinage. I suppose myself bound to 
respect such contracts until otherwise instructed. Other mints 
pay, I am informed, one and a half per centum on the money turned 
out. Hence a direction in general orders, No. 395, to examine the 
contracts between the Mexican government and the several mints. 
Those not under contract will be assessed as heretofore. 

By two conveyances I am expecting mails up, from Vera Cruz, 
in two and four days. I am anxious to receive the views of the 
department on several points of importance to me in this command. 

The new federal executive and congress are, as yet, not installed. 
Both, it is believed, will be strongly inclined to a peace. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To the honorable the Secretary of War. 


[Supplemental to general orders No. 376.] 

General Orders, \ Head-quarters of the. Army, ■ 

No. 395. ) Mexico , December 31, 1847. 

1. To support, in part, the military occupation of the republic of 
Mexico by the army of the United States, the several States of this 
republic, already occupied, and others as they shall become occu¬ 
pied, are or will be assessed, by the year, in dollars, as follows: 


Chihuahua..... $49,188 

Coahuila....... . 5,657 

Chiapas. 21,692 

Durango ..*.*. 85,556 

Guanajauto...... 255,576 

Jalisco. 236,338 

Mexico, State and Federal district. 668,332 

Michoacan ...................... . 287,712 

Nuevo Leon... ...*. 50,437 

Oaxaca. 84,160 

Puebla.. 424,276 

Queretaro.. .. 85,944 

San Luis. 111,260 

Sinaloa... 33,524 

Sonora. 5,000 

Tabasco. 59,060 

Tamaulipas.... .............. 71,332 

Vera Cruz ........ .... ..... 271,548 

Zacatecas and Aguascalientes, reunited.. 240,076 






















254 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 




2. This assessment is the quadruple of the direct taxes paid by 
the several States to their federal government, in the year 1843 or 
1844. But, on the other hand, all transit duties, (alcabalas y dere- 
chos de internacion) heretofore payable at the gates of cities, and 
on passing the lines between States, have been abolished, together 
with national lotteries. The tobacco monopoly will also be abolished 
from and after the present year. The cultivation and the sale of 
that plant shall, thereafter, be free; save any duty that the United 
States may have imposed, or shall hereafter impose, on the impor¬ 
tation of tobacco through custom-houses at Mexican ports occu¬ 
pied by this army. And the receipts of the post offices, together 
with the playing card and ^tamped paper monopolies, are relin¬ 
quished to the State governments respectively. 

3. The governors and the members of legislatures in the different 
States, and all collecting officers, now in commission, and hereto¬ 
fore charged with the collection of the federal dues of any kind, 
will be, individually, held responsible in their persons and property 
for the collection and full payment of this assessment; one-twelfth 
monthly, at the usual State capitals respectively, or other place or 
places, within the same, as may be appointed by the United States 
commander within each State. 

4. The assessment on each State that may hereafter be occupied 
as above, shall be considered as due from the first day of the 
month within which the occupation may take place, in order to 
avoid all calculations founded on days less than a month. Hence 
no credit will be allowed a State for any payment previously made 
to the federal government, or its officers, for any part of a month 
within which the State shall have been occupied by the American 
forces. In the States already so occupied, the assessments will be 
considered as having commenced with the present month, and be 
demanded accordingly. 

5. In payment of the money assessment, any State may substi¬ 
tute, in whole or in part, at a fair valuation, with the consent of 
the United States commanding officer therein, such articles of sub¬ 
sistence and forage as may be found convenient to the two parties. 

6. On the failure of any State to pay its assessments, its func¬ 
tionaries, as above, will be seized and imprisoned, and their prop¬ 
erty seized, registered, reported, and converted to the use of the 
occupation, in strict accordance to the general regulations of this 
army. No resignation or abdication of office by any of the said 
Mexican functionaries shall excuse one of them from any of the 
above obligations or penalties. 

7. If the foregoing measures should fail to enforce the regular 
payment, as above, from any State, the commanding officer of the 
United States forces within the same will immediately proceed to 
collect, in money or in kind, from the wealthier inhabitants other 
than neutral friends, within his reach, the amount of the assessment 
due from the State; taking care, always, to make the collection as 
equitably and savingly as practicable, and to report the amount 
forcibly levied to the next superior officer of this army. Any 
waste or wanton injury committed in these operations, as well as 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 255 

all fraud and corruption, shall be rigorously prosecuted before a 
tribunal of the army. 

8. With a view to a rigorous accountability, receipts in payment 
of assessments, whether in money or in kind, (the latter expressed 
in money, according to valuation,) will be signed by some quarter¬ 
master, commissary, or paymaster of this army, named by the com¬ 
manding officer within a State, and be duly attested by the latter, 
who will also keep a register of all such payments. The amount 
of those payments and of forced levies will be reported monthly 
to general head-quarters; as well as to Washington, (see general 
orders, No. 366, of the 6th instant,) both by the receivers and the 
attesting commander or commanding officers within the several 
States. 

9. The usual dues, heretofore levied on the precious metals in 
the interior, by the federal government of Mexico, will be contin¬ 
ued and collected for the military chest of this army. Commanding 
officers near the mines, assay offices and mints,respectively, will in¬ 
quire, and report to general head-quarters on the subject; but until 
further orders the following rates will be exacted: 

10. On production of both gold and silver, three per centum; on 
melting , two dollars and fifty cents for every one hundred and 
thirty-five marks, the mark of eight ounces; on assaying , one dol¬ 
lar the bar, for bars of silver, or one dollar and fifty cents each for 
bars of gold, or of gold'and silver mixed, and on coinage the per 
centage on both metals heretofore paid by the mints, respectively, 
according to contract with the Mexican government. Those con¬ 
tracts, in every case, will be particularly examined. The one real 
per mark, on both gold and silver, heretofore paid to the College of 
Mines, in this city, is relinquished to that scientific institution, and 
may be collected as usual. 

11. It is understood that the collection of the dues on produc¬ 
tion, melting and assaying, may be made at the assay offices, and 
they will be demanded and received accordingly. The per centage, 
on coinage, will be collected for this army at the mints. At both 
places, officers, of intelligence and accurate habits, of inspection 
will be appointed, from time to time, to give the necessary atten¬ 
dance. 

12. The like penalties, receipts, attestations, registeries and re¬ 
ports are prescribed in respect to dues on the precious metals, as are 
prescribed, above, for other contributions, in money or in kind; and 
the former will commence also at the same periods, and under like 
circumstances; that is, in the Mexican States already occupied by 
the American forces from the first instant, and in the other States 
from the beginning of the months within which the States shall, re¬ 
spectively, be entered and occupied. 

13. The American troops, in spreading themselves over this re¬ 
public, will take care to observe the strictest discipline and morals 
in respect to the persons and property of the country; purchasing 
and paying for all necessaries and comforts they may require, and 
treating the unoffending inhabitants with forbearance and kindness. 
The higher honor of our country, as well as the particular honor of 






256 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


this army, must and shall be maintained against the few miscreants 
in our ranks. The few cannot be permitted to dishonor the whole 
mass of our citizens and soldiers at home and abroad. The mis¬ 
creants must therefore be watched, and for every offence denounced, 
and sent before the proper tribunals for exemplary punishment. This 
is required of every good officer and soldier. Men free at home, 
must maintain the honor of freemen when abroad. If they forget 
that , they will degrade themselves to the level of felons and slaves, 
„ and may be rightfully condemned and treated as such; for felons, 
according to the laws of God and man, are slaves. 

14. The laws of war will also be strictly observed towards all 
Mexicans in arms, who respect those laws. For the treatment of 
those atrocious bands of guerrilleros and armed rancheros , see 
general orders, No. 3^2, dated the 12th instant. 

By command of Major General Scott, 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A . A. A. G . 


General Orders, ) Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. 8. \ Mexico , January 5, 1848. 

1, To prevent fraud in the payment of the due's on the precious 
metals, as assessed in general orders, No. 395, paragraph 10, of the 
31st ultimo, it is further directed: 

2. Bars of silver or gold, produced in the mineral districts, to 
which the assay office of the capital is nearest, will be sent to that 
office, with a permit, setting forth the number, kind, and approxi¬ 
mate value of the bars, signed by the commanding officer of the 
United States forces nearest to the place of production; which per¬ 
mit will be returned to the agent of the mine, with an attestation 
that the dues oh, production, melting, and assaying, have been duly 
paid to'the assayer on account of this army. 

r 3. The bars, having been assayed, will be sent from the assay 
office to the nearest mint for coinage, and the payment of the dues 
on that operation; as also to enforce existing orders against the 
exportation of the precious metals, except in coins. 

4. A book will be kept in every assay office, in which will be 
duly entered the number, weight, and standard of the bars. Each 
entry wullbe signed by the assayer and the superintendent of the 
mint. 

5. The dues on production, melting, and assaying, w'ill be col¬ 
lected at the assay office, and immediately paid over to the Ameri¬ 
can officer who may be appointed to receive them, who will allow 
the assayer to deduct therefrom any portion of his usual salary that 
may be due at the time of the assay; the salary to be considered 
as having commenced w T ith the assessment on account of this army, 
and without regard to arrearages of a prior c^ite. 

6. Any attempt to evade the payment of dues on the precious 
metals, or to evade the orders relative thereto, shall be punished by 
seizure and confiscation of the metal, whether in bars or coins; and 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


257 


« 

oVners and agents, when about to send bars to an assay office, shall 
give notice to the American governor, or commander of the place, 
so that the latter may send the proper officer to receive the dues on 
the spot. 

7. Escorts of American troops, when needed and practicable, 
will be granted to the precious metals in passing from the mines to 
the assay offices, and from the latter to the mints. 

8. Notwithstanding the precise orders on the subject, there is 
reason to apprehend that the smuggling of the precious metals in 
bars and in coins, out of this country, may be attempted. On re¬ 
ceiving satisfactory evidence of success in such attempts, it is here¬ 
by decreed that the owners and shippers shall be compelled to pay 
into the military chest of the occupation, the full value of the said 
metals shipped against orders. 

By command of Major General Scott: 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General : 


No. 43. 

Head-qharters of the Army, 

Mexico , January 13, 1848. 

Sir: I have not had a line from any public office at Washington 
of a da'e later than October 26. The spy company has returned 
from Yera Cruz; but it seems that despatches for me had been in¬ 
trusted to a special messenger, (I suppose from Washington,) who 
after a delay of many days at Perote, came up with the company 
to Puebla, where he again stopped and retained all my letters. 

Brigadier General Cadwalader has quietly occupied Toluca and 
Lerma. As was known, the state government had retired (thir¬ 
teen leagues) to Sultepec. The general has invited that govern¬ 
ment to provide for the payment of the assessment upon the State; 
but there has not been yet time to receive a reply. 

Some days since, Colonel Wynkoop, of the 1st Pennsylvania 
volunteers, tendered his services to go, with a few men, to seize 
the guerrilla priest, Jarauta, at the head of a small band that has 
long been the terror of all peaceable Mexicans within his reach, 
and who has frequently had skirmishes with our detachments. The 
colonel having missed that object, heard that General Valencia 
and staff were at a distant hacienda, and by hard riding, in the night, 
succeeded in capturing that general and a colonel of his staff. I 
consider this handsome service worthy of being recorded. 

Colonel Ha\s, with a detachment of Texan rangers, returned 
last night from a distant expedition in search of the robber priest. 
In a skirmish, without loss on his part, he killed some eight of 
Jarauta’s men, and> thinks that the priest was carried off among 
the many wounded. 

The spy company, coming up from Yera Cruz, had also a very 


17 



258 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


I 

successful affair with a large party of the enemy and captured some 
forty prisoners, including three generals. 

The second train, now out from Vera Cruz eleven days, was, as 
I learn by the enclosed correspondence, attacked by a numerous 
body of the enemy, and suffered a loss that looks like a disaster—* 
the first that we have sustained; but further details are needed. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. Secretary or War. 


[Enclosed in the preceding despatch, No. 43, of General Scott.] 

Jalapa, Mexico, January 3, 1848. 

Sir: I have the honor to forward, herewith, a monthly return for 
December, of the troops under my command, and am gratified in 
being able to state that the epidemics (mumps and measles) have so 
far abated as to justify my moving in a few days. The number of 
convalescents here, awaiting an opportunity to join their regiments, 
require additional transportation, which I hope to procure in a few 
days. 

Sickness rendering it necessary to halt here, I despatched a train 
to Vera Cruz for supplies and clothing, this post being destitute of 
every necessary, even medicines; the train returned without the 
clothing, leaving the troops in a miserable condition. Still, I have 
insisted upon drills, and the reports of the several commanders 
induce the belief of rapid improvement, my own lameness pre¬ 
venting personal attendance. I design moving up in few days. 

I am, sir, &c., 

THOMAS MARSHALL, 

Brig. Gen. U. S. A. 

To H. L. Scott, A. A. A. G. 

The foregoing are frae copies. 

T. W ILLIAMS, Aid-de-Camp. 


Jalapa, Mexico, 

. January 6, 1848. 

Sir: Accompanying this is a copy of a communication from the 
commanding officer of the upward train, received this morning. 1 
immediately despatched 250 cavalry, one section of light artillery, 
and a portion of Colonel Hughes’s command, with orders to co¬ 
operate with Colonel Miles at Cerro Gordo. 

For some time, rumors have been in circulation that Mexican 
forces are being recruited in the vicinity of Orizaba and adjacent 
towns, and to-day it is currently reported, by Mexicans in our ser- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


259 


vice, that about two thousand are organized, ready for the field, 
having received three months’ pay in advance. It is certain that 
those now harrassing the train rendezvous at Orizaba, Cordova, 
a large town. The relative position of Yera Cruz and these towns, 
renders it very easy for any force they may hold in readiness, to 
•descend upon our upward trains, attack them and return to their 
rendezvous, without the possibility of its being known to our 
force at this post. From positive information, I can say this will 
be the case until they are driven from their several towns, which 
may be done with comparatively small force. 

I am, sir, &c., 

THOMAS MARSHALL, 

Brig. Gen. U. S. A. 

To H. L. Scott, 

A. A. A. G., Head-quarters. 


Head-quarters of Brigade, 

Passo OvejaSj January 5, 1848. 

General: I have the honor to report that I am thus far on my way 
to Mexico city with the largest train that ever left Yera Cruz, with 
a force of the 1st infantry, some recruits, and three companies of 
mounted men, total 1,300 in all. My rear was attacked on yester¬ 
day, near Santa Fe^, one company of mounted riflemen cut up, and 
near 280 pack mules taken. The enemy, I learn, are mustering in 
force at Plan del Rio, to attack me in a general fight near Cerro 
Gordo. I request you may send 4 to 500 men with a section of 
artillery, to meet me, as I have none. 

###### 

Your troops, by leaving on the 6th, can so manage their march 
ns to co-operate with me, and take the enemy in front and rear. 

I am, general, with respect, your obedient servant, 

D. H. MILES. 

Lieut . Col. Commanding . 

To General Marshall. 

I certify that this is a correct copy. 

J. W. HENRY, 
Aid-de-Camp , A. A. A. G, 



Statement showing the net produce of the revenues arising from the undernamed taxes or rents in each State 

the republic in 1844. 




200 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 




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Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

Circular. 


261 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , January 6, 1848. 

To the United States commander of the military department of : 

Sir: Referring to general orders, Nos. 376 and 395, late series, 
and to No. 8, of the current year, you are instructed to commence 
collecting or levying the assessments imposed upon the State 
of , on account of the last month, without unnecessary- 

delay. 

To effect the object, through the proper Mexican authorities, you 
will invite payments by them, and do all in your power in the way 
of conciliation. After a reasonable time, should you fail to conci¬ 
liate voluntary payments, you will proceed to forced levies. 
As your command is not co-extensive with the State, correspond 
directly with the other commanders within the same, with a view 
to a concert in measures and time, before proceeding to forced 
levies, and report to me all important incidents and results. 

The execution of the orders referred to will be both delicate and 
difficult. With great confidence in your zeal and discretion, 

I remain, sir, respectfully, yours, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

[Addressed to the commanders of military departments of Puebla, 
Jalapa, Vera Cruz, Tampico and Perote; duplicate.] 


Respectfully transmitted by direction of the general-in-chief. 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 

January 14, 1848. 


Tacubaya, Mexico , January 2, 1847. 

Major: Yesterday the report of the major general, commanding 
first division of the army, on entering Mexico, made its appear¬ 
ance. On reading it, I w T as much mortified to find that seven out 
of ten company officers of my regiment, at that time on duty, were 
mentioned for gallantry and good conduct, and that I, senior, was not 
named. The army and the world would naturally conclude from 
that report that I had been far from conspicuous. It is not my 
wish to produce the impression that my conduct was better on that 
occasion than than that of any other officer, but it is my wish to 
show, as far as practicable, that it was surpassed by none. 

I am of opinion that the commanding general of division, in ma¬ 
king up his report, was governed, in a very great degree, 
by the reports of Brevet Colonel Garland and yourself, and that he 
will be pleased to give me some credit when he shall be better in¬ 
formed. Two days since, you mentioned to me that you did not 
know that I had taken the small breast-work immediately in front 



262 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


of San Cosme garita, but supposed that Captain Brooks, 2d 
artillery, and Lieutenant Grant, 4th infantry, were with or in ad¬ 
vance of me. The following are the facts in the case: Our column 
advanced under a very heavy fire (as you know) to within some 
sixty yards of the angle of the San Cosme road; by this time our 
number had become so small, it was deemed prudent, apparently, 
to stop, and if possible get reinforcements. It was the good for¬ 
tune of Captain B., Lieutenant G. and myself to be in advance. 
After firing some fifteen minutes, the two officers above named pro¬ 
ceeded by our left, (round the English cemetery,) with a few men, 
and charged the enemy on their right; I, at the same time, made a 
rush upon the front, and we cleared the work. We had moved 
but a short distance before some of them-ran; a small number, how¬ 
ever, kept their places until we came wfithin twenty yards. The 
moment was a very exciting one, and I do not know whether the 
two officers by the right or myself were first to reach the centre of 
the work, but do not contend for it, feeling, as I do, that they not 
only deserve all the credit given them, but much more, as do also all 
persons named in the general’s report. The command proceeded 
rapidly after the enemy, up the road. I was somewhat retarded in 
keeping back our color-bearer, (who had already been severely 
wounded, but begged permission to retain them, and did so until 
some fifty yards in front of the next w r ork, when he fell, 
shot through the brain,) for fear they might be taken from our lit¬ 
tle party. I soon found myself in advance, and kept it, being the 
first person to arrive at the small breast-w r ork, half way across the 
road, immediately in front of San Cosme; before reaching it, we 
were under very severe fire of shot, grape, &c. No officer of the 
army but myself reached the w~ork at this time, and no officer, ex¬ 
cept myself, claims to have done so. Lieutenant Semmes, of the 
marines, and some fifteen men, most of them of my own company, 
kept near me and reached the work. Captain B., Lieutenant G., 
Lieutenant Judah and, I think, Lieutenant Sedgwick obtained a po¬ 
sition only a short distance in my rear, covered by a projection of 
some houses on our left. I held the work some fifteen minutes, 
and during the time heard the order from the rear to fall back, 
but determined to hold the place, and so informed my party; but, 
seeing the party near me had retired, and some of my own men 
gone, I reluctantly gave it up, seeing the danger my small force 
was in, and knowing w r e could do no good. In running back, Ser¬ 
geant Donovan was shot by my side, by the fire from the gate. Af¬ 
ter the regiment was re-formed, and we took the same point a se¬ 
cond time, by moving to the rear and round the right of the church, 
Lieutenant Grant and myself w r ere the two first persons to gain it; 
one of our men shot a Mexican soldier at the work after our taking 
it. At this place, you will remember, Colonel Garland arrived 
(w r hile we were waiting for mining tools) and kept us for some 
time. 

I respectfully submit the foregoing, wfith the request that you 
will be pleased to notice it as you may deem it worthy, and for¬ 
ward it to the commander of the late first division. In conclusion, 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


263 


I beg leave to state that I do not wish to claim anything for which 
any officer may have received credit, as they all deserve even 
more than has been awarded them; but I wish to place the facts of 
my own case fully before yourself and the division commander; 
and feel that both you and himself will be pleased to give me some 
credit, after knowing the facts. The position I had attained 
at 1, p. m., on the 13th, was in advance of the army. It was cre¬ 
ditable to my regiment and to myself. 

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, 

JNO. H. GORE., 

First Lieutenant , 4 th infantry. 

To Major F. Lee, 

4 th infantry , commanding the regiment. 

[Endorsement.] 

It gives me much satisfaction to be able to fully concur with 
Lieutenant Gore in the whole of the within remarks; the substance 
of the-most of them being embraced in my official report of the ac¬ 
tion of the 4th infantry at the capture of the city; and furthermore, 
I am most happy to give testimony to the gallantry of Lieutenant 
Gore, not only on this occasion, but in the two other battles in 
this valley, in which he was engaged, Churubusco and Molino del 
Rey, where he did conspicuous and good service; and was noticed 
in my official reports of both , with credit and distinction. 

FRANCIS LEE, 

Major 4th infantry , commanding regiment. 

Mexico, January 5, 1847. [1848.] 

I am fully aware of the zealous soldiership and gallantry of 
Lieutenant Gore, and shall greatly regret if the injustice of omis¬ 
sion has been done him. The regimental reports are not before 
me, nor within my reach, nor am I in correspondence with any au¬ 
thority in this army or the government. This being the case, I am 
not at liberty to take any further action than to make this en¬ 
dorsement, with which the paper is returned to the regimental 
commander. 

W. J. WORTH. 

Major Lee, 

Commanding 4th infantry. 


January 14, 1848. 

Respectfully transmitted by the direction of the general-in¬ 
chief. 

H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. Gen. 


City of Mexico, October 5, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to make, for your information, a state¬ 
ment which justice to my company and to myself demands. 



264 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


On the 8th ultimo I was in command of H company, of the 
5th infantry, which was one of the four companies of the light in¬ 
fantry battalion commanded on that day by Captain E. K. Smith, 
5th infantry. At the time of the commencement of the action of 
Molino del Rey, the battalion was in reserve near the battery com¬ 
manded by Captain Huger. Soon after the fire from the enemy’s 
lines opened, it was ordered to advance to support the assaulting 
party, a portion of which party had entered the Mexican battery, 
but were driven out again by superior numbers of the enemy. The 
assaulting party was immediately thrown into confusion. It was 
just at this critical moment that the light battalion was ordered to 
charge, which it did, and entered the gateway between two of the 
buildings, on the left of the enemy’s lines, known as the mills. I 
had the honor to be the first to pass this gateway. Sergeant Flynn, 
of H company, 5th infantry, was the first man to report to me. 
My company followed him, mixed with the other companies of the 
battalion. Immediately after passing the gateway, I went to the 
housetop, on which I found the enemy in position in a trench, or 
mill-race, which runs around two sides of the house, to the’left of 
the gate as you enter. My men followed me to the housetop, where 
we contended for a short time with the enemy, and effectually si¬ 
lenced his fire. But two escaped, to my knowledge, and they were 
both severely wounded. Captain Reeve, 8th infantry, placed a 
portion of his men on a shed, where they kept up a most destruct¬ 
ive fire on the Mexicans on the housetops. They fought despe¬ 
rately, as we had cut off their only means of retreat. I even found 
it necessary for me to use a musket for my personal defence. 
I had forgotten to mention that, a short time after I went to the 
housetop, Captain E. K. Smith came up. The enemy kept up a con¬ 
stant fire on us from his battery, which was about one hundred 
yards from the gateway, and to the left as you enter. I came down 
from the housetop—the idea struck me that we could charge the 
battery and take it. I resolved at once to put it in execution. 
Fortune favored me with a good opportunity; for, jusj; at this time, 
a regiment of our troops appeared on the plain some distance in 
front, and to the left of the battery. The Mexicans saw them, 
and I discovered that they shewed signs of uneasiness, and a dis¬ 
position to leave the battery. This was the moment to charge. I 
gave the command, and with a cheer we went at the battery, and 
into it. Again, sir, I had the gratification of being the first to 
enter the battery. A destructive fire, poured upon us from the 
housetops to the left, and extending to the rear of the battery, 
stopped a large portion of the men who started with me in the 
charge. They halted to return the fire, and drove the enemy’s 
troops from the side of the house next to them, so that I entered 
the battery with but few men. Sergeant Flynn, of H com¬ 
pany, 5th infantry, and Private Murray, of same company, being 
the only men in the battery with me. Lieutenant Simpson came 
as far as to the wall which surrounds the guns, and seeing that we 
were too weak to hold the. battery, returned to bring up more men. 
With the assistance of the two men above mentioned, I attempted 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


265 


to bring the gun I had taken to bear upon the enemy, who 'were 
now coming back into the fort, but did not succeed. I sent the 
sergeant for more men; Private Murray was struck, and I directed 
him to retire. I remained in the fort, standing by the gun, with 
one foot on the trail; the Mexicans continued to advance towards 
me, firing at me all the time. I determined to hold the gun until* 
my men came up, or die in its defence. I w T as struck in the thigh 
by^a musket ball, but was still able to remain at my post. I was be¬ 
coming faint from the loss of blood, when I saw Captain E. K. Smith 
and Lieutenant Simpson coming into the fort with some men. I 
then retired, and fell just after I had gotten over the wall. The 
gun, of which I have spoken above, remained in our possession; it 
w r as never retaken by the enemy. I do not claim the second gun, 
because, when I went up to it I w T as driven back by the Mexicans, 
who still remained in the fort. To others have been given the 
credit of being the first to pierce the enemy’s lines, the first to cap¬ 
ture his guns, and to enter and hold the fort. The 4th infantry, 
and some of the artillery of the 1st brigade, followed us through 
the gateway above mentioned. 

I have the honor to refer the general to the following officers: 
Captain Reeve, Lieutenant Peck, Lieutenant Simpson, Lieutenant 
S. Anderson, Lieutenant Pitcher, Lieutenant Porter, Lieutenant 
Nichols, aid to Colonel Garland, Captain Walker, 6th infantry, 
storming party, Captain Mason, and Lieutenant Foster, corps of 
engineers. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient ser¬ 
vant, 

F. T. DENT, 

2d Lieutenant , bth Infantry. 

To Brevet Major Gen. Worth, 

Commanding 1st division. 


City of Mexico, November 24,1847. 

In the battle of El Molino del Rey I commanded the pioneers 
of the storming party. In the charge on the enemy’s battery I 
was wounded in the ditch, near the battery. While lying there, I 
saw the storming party repulsed, and the battery afterwards taken 
by a detachment of the light battalion, and held until supporting 
troops came up. 

Yours, 

JOHN G. FOSTER, 

Brevet 2d Lieutenant , Engineers. 

Lieutenant F. T. Dent. 


Tacubaya, Mexico, January 11,1848. 

Sir: I have the honor to enclose, herewith, two papers relating 
to Molino del Rey, copies of which were sent to General Worth 



266 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


some time before his report was made to the general-in-chief. 
General W. has not done me justice in his report. May I request 
a perusal of the enclosed by the general, and if consistent with 
his pleasure, that they may be sent, through the Secretary of War, 
to the President of the United States'? 

Respectfully submitted. 

F. T. DENT, 

2d Lieutenant , 5th Infantry . 

Captain H. L. Scott, 

A. A. A. General. 


Respectfully forwarded, by direction of the general-in-chief, for 
file with other papers relative to the operations of the army be¬ 
fore the city of Mexico, and for the information of the Secretary 
of War. 

H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. G. 


Head-quarters, 

6th Infantry , City of Mexico , December 18, 1847. 

Sir: I desire, very respectfully, to lay before the general-in¬ 
chief the following facts in relation to the battle of Churubusco, 
which do not seem to have come to his notice. 

The first gun that was fired at Churubusco was fired upon the 6th 
infantry, as it advanced upon the causeway against the tete du pont, 
and at this time the regiment sustained the fire of both this work 
and the convent, which were not otherwise engaged. With the 
small force that we had, unsupported, it was impossible that the 
attack could be successful, and after remaining under the enemy’s 
fire for some time, a part of the command being close to his work, 
we were ordered to fall back. I believe we lost more officers and 
men in this attack than during ther emainder of the battle. 

Having re-formed upon the causeway, at a point where it was still 
exposed to a fire of grape and canister, the regiment was ordered 
by the commanding general of the division, to assault the tete du 
pont again. This order was promptly obeyed, but the fire upon us 
was terrible, both direct and from the convent on the left, and forced 
us from the causeway, not to fall back, however, but to attack the 
enemy’s infantry entrenched on the left of the work. 

Whatever attack was made on this part of his line was made by 
the 6th infantry, as the principal force joined by parts of other re¬ 
giments.; and it is not the less creditable that the force was small, 
and that the comparative multitudes of the enemy ran at our ap¬ 
proach. It was at this time that the 8th and 5th advanced against 
the tete du pont, and the officers who led that attack candidly ac¬ 
knowledged, that to our advance, which drew the attention and the 
fire of the enemy, their success was, in a great degree, attributable. 

After crossing the stream we continued to pursue the retreating 
enemy till a deep and impassable ditch compelled us to return to 




Ex. Doc, No. 56. 267 

the causeway, where we found ourselves in advance of all other 
troops. 

I have given only the conspicuous points of the battle as far as 
we were engaged, which I do without fear of contradiction, and 
have spoken of the active part of the regiment, as. the regiment. 

It is a source of much mortification to us that, after having been 
in the front during the whole battle, the general-in-chief should 
only notice us in his report by saying, the 6th followed the 8th and 
5th. 

I have the honor to be your most obedient servant, 

W. HOFFMAN, 

Captain 6th Infantry , Commanding. 

Captain H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 


[Forwarded by Major General Scott, January, 1843.] 

City of Mexico, 
December 29, 18*47. 

Sir: In the official report of the capture of the city of Mexico, 
<c dated September 18, 1847,” republished in the u Star” newspa¬ 
per, and which I had the opportunity of seeing yesterday for the 
first time, the following paragraph occurs: 

u Within those disgarnished works I found our troops engaged in 
a street fight against the enemy posted in gardens, at windows, and 
on house-tops, all flat, with parapets. Worth ordered forward the 
mounted howitzers of Cadwalader’s brigade, preceeded by skirmish¬ 
ers and pioneers, and pick-axes and crow-bars, to force windows 
and doors, or to burrow through w’alls. The assailants were soon 
in an equality of position fatal to the enemy. By 8 o'clock in the 
evening , Worth had carried two batteries in the suburb. According 
to my instruction , he here posted guards and sentinels , and placed 
his troops under shelter for the night. There was but one more ob¬ 
stacle , the San Cosme gate , (custom housed) between him and the 
great square in front of the cathedral and palace —the heart of the 
city; and that barrier, it was known, could not, by daylight, resist 
our seige guns thirty minutes.” 

u I had gone back to the foot of Chapultepec, the point from 
which the two aqueducts begin to diverge, some hours earlier, in 
order to be near the new depot, and in easy communication with 
Quitman and Twiggs as well as with Worth.” 

I beg leave to bring to the notice of the general-in-chief, that he 
has entirely misconceived the facts in the case. 

Passing by, for the present, several errors in the report, I pro¬ 
ceed to invite his attention to the marked sentences; they read 
thus: 

u Py 8 o’clock in the evening, Worth had carried two batteries 



268 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


in the suburbs .” u According to my instruction, he here (that is in 
the suburbs) posted guards and sentinels, and placed his troops un¬ 
der shelter for the night.” u There was but one more obstacle, the 
San Cosme gate, (custom house,) between him and the great square 
in front of the cathedral and palace.” 

On these sentences, marked in the quoted, printed paragraph an¬ 
nexed, I have to observe: 

1st. That my command was not halted and sheltered for the 
night in the suburbs , nor did I receive instructions to that effect. 

2d. That before 6 o’clock my command had carried u the gate 
(or custom house) of San Cosme,” captured the cannon which de¬ 
fended it, and turned them upon the flying enemy. 

3d. That one of my brigades quartered, that night, several hun¬ 
dred yards within the gate, and my head-quarters with it, the 
pickets and patrols being advanced to a church, (where the 6th in¬ 
fantry now quarters,) more than half way from the gate San Cosme 
to the Alameda; the other, and Ridgeley’s brigade, quartered for 
convenience at and by the gate. 

The night position of my troops was in the knowledge of two 
officers of general head-quarters staff, and it is, or was, within the 
knowledge of other officers of that staff that, by 8 o’clock, the 
heavy guns, a mortar and 24-pounder, were got up from the far 
rear, and before 9 opened upon the great plaza; said guns being in 
battery u at the San Cosme gate,” the firing of which brought out 
(as by them avowed at the time) the commissioners, who reached 
my night quarters, some two hundred yards within that u one more 
obstacle,” at half-past 1 a. m., and it was from thence I passed 
them, in charge of an officer of my staff, to the general-in-chief, 
whom I supposed to be near Chapultepec, but who was found at 
Tacubaya. 

I am aware that the picture referred to in the official report gives 
a wrong position to my troops. Aside from my own official report, 
which was before the general, his own staff could have convicted 
the picture of error. 

Since writing the foregoing I have seen, also for the first time, 
the general-in-chief’s official report of Molino del Rey. I owe it 
to the memory of the dead, to the reputation of the living, and to 
the fame, in respect to country, of that signal victory to say, that 
the following paragraph cannot fail, in the minds of those unac¬ 
quainted with the facts, to bring in question the completeness of 
that victory. The paragraph reads thus: 

u The enemy having several times reinforced his line, and the ac¬ 
tion soon becoming much more general than I had expected, I 
called up, from the distance of three miles, first Major General 
Pillow with his remaining brigade, (Pierce’s,) and next Riley’s 
brigade of Twiggs’s division, leaving his other brigade (Smith’s) 
in observation at San Angel. Those corps approached with zeal 
and rapidity; but the battle was won just as Brigadier General 
Pierce reached the ground , and had interposed his corps between 
Garland’s brigade ( Worth’s division) and the retreating enemy.” 

On the last sentence of this paragraph I have to assert, that the 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


269 


battle had been won more than one hour before General Pierce’s 
brigade, or any other supports, reached the ground; that I had been 
nearly that length of time engaged in collecting the wounded and 
dead; that Pierce’s brigade did not approach El Molino to replace 
Garland and to occupy that captured work, until two hours after its 
arrival; that it was not, in the sense used, u interposed between 
Garland’s brigade and the retreating enemy,” that enemy having 
retreated three hours before. It was only placed there, when the 
time arrived, under the oft repeated orders of the general-in-chief, 
to return my command to Tacubaya. 

On a future day, and under more auspicious circumstances, I shall 
deem it due to my late command and to myself, to bring to notice 
other matters in the several reports, from that of Cerro Gordo to 
the occupation of this city. Meantime, I have the honor to solicit 
that this communication be forwarded to the department of War. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. J. WORTH, 
Brevet Major General. 

To Captain H. L. Scott, 

A. A. A. General , Head-quarters , Mexico. 

• 


[En dorsement. ] 


Respectfully forwarded. 

I might animadvert justly and severely upon the tone of the 
within, and upon several of its assertions; but will, under the cir¬ 
cumstances, say that I committed an error in saying, in my report, 
that the gate of San Cosme was not passed by Worth’s division in 
the evening of the 13th of September. That gate was the second 
battery carried by the division, and I gave the division credit for 
having passed two. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

January, 1848. 


[Forwarded by Major General Scott, January 14, 1843 ] 

Head-quarters, Second Regiment Ohio Infantry, 

January 8, 1848. 

Sir: I have the honor to report that, on the 4th of this month, 
a merchant train, under the charge of Captain Chase, was robbed 
of some twenty-six mules and a number of horses, within a few 
miles of this post, and between here and the city. I was at the 
time absent, and did not arrive here until the evening of the 5th. 
I was then told that the mules had been seen taking the road to 
Mira Floris, distant some six leagues from here. I despatched 
Major Link that night with a command, consisting of cavalry and 
infantry, for that place. The command, upon arriving at the first 



270 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


hacienda from here, lying at the foot of the mountain, and called, 
I believe, Cordova, were induced to search a large house there 
upon seeing the lights blown out on their arrival. Upon knocking 
at the doors, admittance was refused them, and they were obliged 
to force their way in. Some time was necessarily occupied in this, 
and, by the time they had forced the door and entered, they found 
no one in the house but the owners thereof and a French gentle¬ 
man and lady. In one room, however, they found a number of 
saddles, bridles, blankets, spread upon the floor, and decks of cards, 
all indicating that the room had been occupied and hastily aban¬ 
doned. They learned from the French gentleman referred to, that 
the guerrillas, some fifteen or sixteen in number, had made their 
escape by the back way whilst they were forcing their way in front. 
Their horses all fell into the hands of the command; two of them 
were horses that had been stolen from officers at this post. From 
thence the major proceeded on to Mira Floris, and learned that the 
mules had passed there, but could not ascertain to what point they 
had been taken. Upon the advice of a Scotchman, whom he found 
there, the major, from Mira Floris, proceeded to a town named 
Arnica, distant about three leagues. In this place he found some 
eighty or a hundred guerrillas. lie immediately charged into the 
town with his horse, and soon put them to flight. Some four or 
five of the guerrillas were killed, and the commander of them, Jose 
de la Yera, was wounded and taken prisoner. Three of his men 
were also taken, all of whom I now have as prisoners. At Halma- 
nalco the major learned that the mules had been taken to a place 
called Tenango. His horses and men were, however, too much 
worn down to proceed any farther, and he was obliged to return. 
The command of Major Link numbered in all sixty men. He was 
accompanied by the following officers: Captain J. E. Smith, and 
Lieutenants Mitchell, Yan Metre, Ross, Thrift, and O’Sullivan, of 
the infantry, r.nd Captain Littell and Lieutenant Buck, of cavalry. 
I would represent that, at this point, I am too far distant from the 
towns the guerrillas occupy to be of as much service as I could 
wish, in breaking up their bands. There are no towns in the im¬ 
mediate vicinity of this post, and the people are of a miserable 
class, too poor to own either a horse or a gun. 

All the robberies are committed near here by bands coming from 
towns, either on one side or the other of the mountains, and not by 
persons living near here. 

The following towns in the neighborhood of Mira Floris are all 
filled with bands that infest the road: Ilalmanalco, Arnica, Te¬ 
nango, Ozumba, Chalca, and Laralista. With my force in the 
vicinity of these towns, I think they would be afraid to commit a 
robbery, or if they did commit one, they might easily be pursued 
and overtaken. 

On the other side of the mountain, towards Puebla, and near 
San Martien, lie the small villages of Santa Maria, San Raphael, 
San Salvador, and Yerdad, from whence small parties sometimes 
issue for the purpose of robbery. A small force at San Martein 
would overawe these, and the road would then, in my opinion, be 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


271 


perfectly open between Mexico and Puebla. I have four com¬ 
panies at Puebla, if the general thinks it advisable, that might be. 
stationed at San Martien. I make these suggestions, upon such 
information as I have been able to procure, and, if the general 
thinks it advisable to carry them out, I will be responsible for 
every robbery between these points. 

There is another consideration why I would urge upon the 
general the abandonment of this as a post, and that is its un¬ 
healthiness. Since I have been here, in one month I have lost 
thirteen men. The men are but poorly clad, have but one blanket, 
and in consequence of the great and sudden changes of temperature, 
are constantly suffering from bad catarrhs. 

This last consideration makes me anxious to have the post 
changed, but at the same time, I would not urge it, did I not feel 
that I would be of equal if not greater service elsewhere. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

WM. IRWIN, 

Colon'll 2d Reg., Ohio infantry. 

H. L. Scott, 

A. A. A. General. 


Endorsed — u Forwarded respectfully. Perhaps extracts maybe 
advantageously published to the credit of Major Link and his 
officers. 

WINFIELD SCOTT, 

January 14, 1848. 


No. 44. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , February 2, 1848. 

Sir : Since my last report, (January 13,) I have received from 
the War Office letters dated November 8 and 17, and December 
14. 

My orders No. 362, 376, and 395, of the last year, and 15 of the 
present, (heretofore forwarded,) will exhibit the system of finance 
I have established for the parts occupied by this army. 

It will be seen that the export duties on coins, and the prohibi¬ 
tion of the export of bars, varies materially from your instructions 
of November 17, ‘acknowledged above. I hope, for the reasons 
suggested in my report, No. 40, (December 17,) the President 
may be induced to adopt my views in respect to the precious 
metals. 

I am without reports from commanders of departments below, 
on the progress made in collecting the direct assessments under 
my orders and circulars. The ayuntamiento, (city council,) of the 
capital has charged itself with the payment, on account of the 
federal district of $400,000, of the $668,332 per year, imposed on 
the State oj Mexico, and arrangements are in progress to meet that 



272 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


engagement. Two months are now due. Brigadier General 
Cadwalader, at Toluca, hopes soon to begin to collect, through the 
ayuntamiento of that city, a large part of the remainder of the 
monthly assessments, and I have sent Colonel Clarke, with a small 
brigade, to Cueruavaca, (some 43 miles south, on the Acapulco 
road,) to complete the same collection. 

The war of masses having ended with the capture of this city, 
the war of detail , including the occupation of the country, and the 
collection of revenue, requires a large additional force, as I sug¬ 
gested in my despatch, No. 34. 

I see that I am, at Washington, supposed to have at my com¬ 
mand more than 30,000 men. Including the forces at Tampico, 
Yera Cruz, on the line thence and in this neighborhood, our total 
does not exceed 24,816. Deducting the indispensable garrisons 
and the sick, I have not left a disposable force, for distant expe¬ 
ditions, of more than 4,500, and I do not hear of the approach of 
any considerable re-inforcement. Seven thousand men I deem the 
mimimum number necessary to open the important line from 
Durango, through Zacatecas and San Luis, to Tampico. Pre¬ 
mising that I find it impossible to obtain from the volunteers, at a 
distance, regular returns, I send an approximate estimate of all 
the forces under my immediate orders. The numbers, among the 
volunteers, afflicted with the measles and mumps, in this vicinity, 
continue to be very great, and the erysipelas is common among 
all the corps. 

I write in haste, by the express who carries the projcet of a 
treaty that Mr. 'l rist has, at the moment, signed with Mexican, 
commissioners. If accepted, I hope to receive as early as practi¬ 
cable, instructions respecting the evacuation of this country ; the 
disposition to be made of waggons, teams, cavalry, and artillery 
horses; the points in the United States to which I shall direct the 
troops respectively, &c., &c. (I have not ye f read the treaty, except 
in small part.) In the same contingency, if not earlier recalled, (and 
I understand my recall has been demanded by two of my juniors !) 
I hope to receive instructions to allow me to return to the United 
States, as soon as I may deem the public service will permit, 
charging some other general officer with completing the evacua¬ 
tion, which ought, if practicable, to be finished before the return 
of the vomito , say early in May. 

In about forty days I may receive an acknowledgment of this 
report. By that time, if the treat) be not accepted, I hope to be 
sufficiently reinforced to open the commercial line between Zaca¬ 
tecas and Tampico. The occupation of Queretaro, Guanajuato, 
and Guadalajura, would be the next in importance, and some of 
the ports of the Pacific, the third. Meanwhile the collection of 
internal dues, on the precious metals, and the direct assessments, 
shall be continued. 

I inclose a letter from Commodore Shubrick, and have the honor 
to remain, sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. Secretary of War. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


273 


[No. 74.] United States Ship Independence, 

Mazatlan , December 17, 1847. 

Sir: A gentleman crossing the country to the United States, af¬ 
fords me an opportunity to give you, in brief, the situation of the 
squadron, and the substance of late despatches sent round to 
Panama. The state of affairs still keeps me here with this ship 
and the Congress. We have quiet and undisputed possession of the 
town of Mazatlan, though General Telles is in the neighborhood 
with a force of regulars and rancheros amounting to some six or 
eight hundred, and General Yanez is at Tepic with a thousand reg¬ 
ulars. I have a garrison on shore well posted and intrenched, and 
feel able to heat off any force that can probably be brought against 
us. The custom house is in operation, with a prospect of collect¬ 
ing a fair revenue. I have been obliged to assume the responsi¬ 
bility of making some modifications in the tariff established by the 
President, to accommodate it better to the trade on this coast. 
They have been made cautiously; the nature of, and reasons for 
them, are detailed in a despatch sent by the u Portsmouth, 55 and 
will, I hope, be approved. 

Since mine of the 4th instant, No. 69, I have received reports 
from Commander Montgomery, at San Jose, and Commander Du 
Pont, at La Paz; at the former place measures were in progress to 
make the post secure, and Lieutenant Heywood is relieved from the 
immediate pressure upon him. Commander Du Pont says, under 
date of 10th instant: u I have not been here long enough to form a 
correct opinion of affairs in Lowqr California, but comparing w r hat 
I hear from San Jose, with Colonel Burton’s best information, the 
country is in a state of complete insurrection; and but for the 
death of Mejares, killed at San Jose, things here would have been 
much more serious.” Colonel Burton writes, same date: u On the 
27th ultimo, we were attacked again by Pineda, with a force of 
about 400 men, many of them Indians. The attack was com¬ 
menced at 3 p. m., and ended at 8 p. fn.; the enemy suffered very 
much. I cannot learn the loss. The firing was much more severe 
than in the first attack; the enemy had a 4-pounder; the ntxt day 
we took a flag from them. The enemy’s loss in this last affair, was 
five killed and several badly wounded. This affair in Lower Cali¬ 
fornia is not to be ended in a day; more- than 600 people are in 
arms against us, and they are not to be so much despised as has 
been thought. Although the { Cyane’ and Southampton are in the 
harbor, the enemy are hovering near, and I should nGt be surprised 
if we were attacked at any moment; indeed I expect it.” 

The squadron here will be tasked to the utmost to hold the 
Guajmas, and this place, and keep our flag flying in Lower Cali¬ 
fornia. 

I have written repeatedly to General Scott and to Governor 
N Mason, requesting that troops may be sent to both places, but have 
not yet heard from either. By the last of May the ships must leave 
this harbor; as the squadron is at present, it cannot spare men 
enough to leave a sufficient garrison; if not reinforced, we must 

18 


274 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


evacuate, and thus lose the most important port in the Pacific. On 
the night of the 13th, a party of fifty seamen, from this ship and the 
Congress, had an engagement with the advance guard of General 
Telles. The enemy was strongly entrenched; we attacked them,, 
drove them from their entrenchments, killed two officers and eight 
men, and returned without the loss of a single man. The party 
was commanded by Lieutenants Montgomery, Lewis, and H. A. 
Wise, Passed Midshipmen English and Baldwin. I regret to say 
that I have not been able to blockade San Bias, or send a ship to 
Telmantepec. On the last of September, the u Lexington” left La 
Paz for Monterey. She had orders to fill up with provisions and 
stores for the squadron, and follow me immediately to this place; 
she has not yet arrived. I look for her daily, and shall send her 
immediately to blockade San Bias. 

Steamers and sloops-of-war, of the first class, are much wanted; 
any given force would be more efficient in such vessels than in any 
other class. This port is on the Pacific, what Vera Cruz is on the 
gulf, the most important to Mexico; and it would be a subject of 
deep regret if we should not be able to hold it until the end of the 
war. Five hundred regular soldiers, with the defences which we 
have put up, would hold it, in the opinion of the engineer officer 
whom I brought with me for the purpose, against five thousand. 
We have had some sickness—that incident to the climate—in the 
squadron; have lost a few men; but the sick are convalescing 
rapidly, and there is reason to believe we shall have no more of 
importance. 

1 have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,. 

WM. BRANFORD SHUBRICK, 

Commanding Pacific Squadron . 

Hon. Jno. Y. Mason, 

#c., #c., #c., Washington. 


General: I have written the above to the Secretary of the Navy, 
and send it to you, with a request that you will read and forward it 
by what you may deem the most safe and speedy conveyance. The 
gentleman who takes it has promised to deliver it into your hands, 
and take your commands. He is worthy of your confidence, and 
is going direct to the United States. I have no information to 
give you but what is in the letter to the Secretary. I hope soon 
to have the pleasure of hearing from you. I am sure I need not 
urge upon you the importance of holding this place, and how de¬ 
sirable it is that the ships should be able to withdraw their men, 
and cruise. We can then hermetically seal the coast of Mexico on 
this side. Mr. Halleck thinks the defences we have put up will 
enable five hundred regulars to hold it against as many thousands. 
If troops could be got down to San Bias, we could transport them 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 275 

here; but of the proper route you can judge much better than I 
can. Le^ me hear from you. 

With great respect, I am, general, your obedient servant, 

W. BRANFORD SHUBRICK, 
Commanding Pacific Squadron. 

Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, 

Commander-in-chief , U. S. army , Mexico. 

December 18, 1847. 

P. S.—To General Scott: I had the honor to receive this morn¬ 
ing your letter of the 2d, and learn with deep regret that it does 
not enter into your plans to send forces to this coast at once. 

I cannot abandon the hope that you will do so as soon as rein¬ 
forced, when you bear in mind that the alternative, after May, will 
not be whether the army or navy shall hold Mazatlan, but whether 
the army shall occupy it, or it shall be abandoned; for, after that 
month, ships cannot be in the harbor in safety, and we cannot spare 
men enough to garrison it. I know you will duly consider these 
things, and do what is best for the glory and interest of our cause. 
These two letters are written on one sheet that the package may be 
as small as possible and more easy of conveyance. 

W. B. S. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , February 6, 1848. 

Sir: I have not reported on the subject of secret disbursements 
since I left Jalapa. First, because of the uncertainty of our com¬ 
munications with Vera Cruz; and, second, the necessity of certain 
explanations which, on account of others, ought not to be reduced to 
writing. I may, however, briefly add that I have never tempted 
the honor, conscience, or patriotism of any man, but have held it 
as lawful in morals as in war to purchase valuable information, or 
services voluntarily tendered me. 

Charging myself with the money received at Washington for the 
purposes indicated—the $150,000 levied upon this city for the im¬ 
mediate benefit of this army, in lieu of pillage; the proceeds of cap¬ 
tured tobacco taken from the Mexican government, and with some 
other small sums, all of which I shall strictly account for—I 
have, on the other hand, expended $63,745 57 in blankets and 
shoes gratuitously distributed to enlisted men; $10,000 extra on ac¬ 
count of hospitals; allowing $10 each to every crippled man dis¬ 
charged or furloughed; some $60,000,1 think, for secret services, in¬ 
cluding a native spy company, whose pay, commencing in July, I did 
not wish to bring into account with the treasury; and I enclose, here¬ 
with, a draught for $100,000, made up according to the memoran¬ 
dum , also enclosed. I hope you will allow the draft to go to the 
credit of the army asylum, and make the subject known, in the 
way you may deem best, to the Military Committees of Congress. 



276 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


That sura is, in small part, the price of the American blood so gal- 
lantly shed in this vicinity; and, considering that the army receives 
no prize money, l repeat the hope that its proposed destination may 
be approved and carried into effect. 

Number one, of the same set of bills, is this day transmitted direct 
to the Bank of America. 

The remainder of the money in my hands, as well as that ex¬ 
pended, I shall be ready to account for at the proper time and in 
the proper manner; merely offering this imperfect report to ex¬ 
plain, in the meantime, the character of the $100,000 draft. 

I have the honor to remain, with high respect, sir, your obedient 
servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

The honorable Secretary of War. 


Memorandum of account between Major General Winfield Scott and 
Paymaster E. Kirby , at the city of Mexico , in the matter of the 
asylum fund. 


1848. 

January 19: By amount of gambling license, money re¬ 
ceived from Brigadier General P. F. Smith. $9,000 00 

February 3: By the check of General Scott on Man¬ 
ning & Mackintosh..* 26,000 00 

February 3: By proceeds of tobacco sales received from 

Captain Lowry, account of late Captain Irwin. 49,569 44 

February 5: By the check of Captain Grayson in favor 

of Surgeon Satterlee. 2,650 40 

February 5: By the check of General Scott on Man¬ 
ning & Mackintosh ..... 12,780 16 


100,000 00 

Balance by my bill of exchange, No. 18, in triplicate, 
in favor of Major General W. Scott upon the pay¬ 
master general, at ten days’ at Bank of America .... 100, 000 00 


E. KIRBY, Paymaster. 


[No. 18.] (P a y °f the Army, $100,000.) 

City of Mexico, January 21, 1848. 

At ten days after sight, for value received, please pay this my 
second of exchange, (the first and third being unpaid,) to the order 
of Major General Winfield Scott, one hundred thousand dollars, on 
account of the pay of the army, for which I am accountable to the 













Ex. Doc. No. 56. 277 

treasury: Payable at the Bank of America, city of New York, with* 
out further advice. 

E. KIRBY, 

Acting. Chief of the Pay Department , 

at the hCad-quarters of the army. 
Brigadier General N. Towson, 

Paymaster General United States Army , 

City of Washington. 

(Endorsed.) 

The Bank of America, city of New York, will place the within 
amount to the credit of Army Asylum , subject to the order of Con¬ 
gress. 

WINFIELD SCOTT, 
Major General , $c. 


No. 45. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Mexico , February 9, 1848. 

Sir: I have received no communication from the War Department 
or the adjutant generaPs office, since my last report, (No. 44,) dated 
the 2d instant; but slips from newspapers and letters from Washing¬ 
ton have come to interested parties here, representing, I learn, that 
the President has determined to place me before a court, for daring 
to enforce necessary discipline in this army against certain of its 
high officers! I make only a passing comment upon these unofficial 
announcements; learning, with pleasure, through the same sources, 
that I am to be superseded by Major General Butler. Perhaps, 
after trial, I may be permitted to return to the United States. My 
poor services with this most gallant army are at length to be 
requited as I have long been led to expect they would be. 

I have the honor to remain, w T ith high respect, sir, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To the Hon. Secretary of War. 


A. 

[Referred to in postscript of despatch of April 19, 1848, heretofore published, document No 
1, present session, page 258.] 

Translation.—Private and Confidential. 


Mexico, April 13, 1847. 

My respectable and beloved Friend and Senor: Although I 
have not yet had the pleasure to receive your esteemed and respect- 




278 Ex. Doc. No. 50. 

able letters, I think it proper to address you, to inform you of oc¬ 
currences here. 

Our friends continue to meet together almost every day. We 
have agreed that the press shall attack the party who wish to place 
General A. at the head of*the government, and attack him also; set 
forth the services which you have rendered and are rendering to the 
nation, and that no one but yourself should be elected by the States 
to the presidency of the republic. 

I enclose an article which appeared in the Republicano of yes¬ 
terday. We are also laboring to induce congress to confer supreme 
power upon the executive, and to cease any further exercise of its 
own functions. 

Yesterday the fortifications of this city were begum 

Intelligence has been received from New Mexico of certain 
Sicilian vespers which the inhabitants have enacted upon the 
Yankees there. Being no longer disposed to submit to the extor¬ 
tions exacted, they fell upon them simultaneously, and had killed 
even to the general who was there with the Yankees. 

Intelligence has also been received from Chihuahua, that the 
Americans there, dreading the people of that State, who were des¬ 
perate, had made propositions to the legislature and government 
that they would evacuate the territory; would engage that no force 
of their nation should return to occupy it, and that they would pay 
the duties of internation on the effects which they had introduced, 
provided the State would engage to be neutral in the present war. 

To-day at nine in the morning the courier arrived, by which you 
make known that our advanced troops were* exchanging shots with 
those of the invading forces. You ought to consider how anxious 
we are to receive information from you as to the present position 
held by our troops, wishing, as we your friends do, a fortunate re¬ 
sult to you. 

Seiior Anaya, as well as the minister of the treasury, are 
redoubling their efforts to send you money, so necessary under 
these present circumstances. 

God grant us a triumph in this struggle with our invaders. We, 
your friends, can have no repose or peace in these disastrous times. 
We confide in that divine Providence which will not abandon us. 

May you, sir, enjoy perfect health, and be careful to preserve 
your precious existence. Command the services, in whatever may 
be useful to yourself, of your grateful, faithful, loyal friend and 
assured servant, who kisses your hand. 

J. P. DE MORA. 

To Seiior Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. 


s 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

B. 


279 


[Forwarded with despatch*of 23d of April, 1847, heretofore published.] 

Inspector General’s Department, 

^Jalapa , April 24, 1847. 

General: On the 5th instant I had the honor to lay before you 
the paroles of honor, by which the Mexican troops, captured by the 
army under your immediate command at Vera Cruz and the castle 
St. Juan d’Ulloa, were enlarged. I have now the satisfaction of 
enclosing the paroles of those captured at the pass of Cerro Gordo 
on the 11th instant, to wit: 

1. The original paroles of honor of three general officers, two 
others being accounted for below, together with similar parole? 
from one hundred and eighty-five other officers of all grades. 

2. Original paroles of honor , given by officers of the Mexican 
army on behalf of the troops of the several corps, prisoners of war, 
respectively under their command, binding them not to serve dur¬ 
ing the war, unless duly exchanged. These rolls embrace two 
thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven (2,837) names, the rank 
and file of the army. 

3. A copy of the parole of General Pinson, a translation of the 
same, and a list of all others on. parole, numbering in all two hun¬ 
dred and eighty-eight officers. 

4. Copies of the several papers referred to above in|No. 2, to 
wit: the paroles for the rank and file. 

Besides the above, I enclose an original paper, signed by two 
general officers, (including General La Vega,) and by fourteen other 
officers of various grades, who declined giving their paroles not to 
serve during the war, unless exchanged, but pledged themselves, 
as the paper shows, to report as prisoners of war to the American 
commander at Vera Cruz, who was instructed under your orders to 
secure them in the castle of St. Juan d’Ulloa, or send them, if they 
preferred it, to the United States. 

A separate list of these sixteen officers is also furnished. 

I think proper to remark, with regard to the operations at Cerro 
Gordo, that by turning the left flank of the enemy, and storming 
the principal hill occupied by him, which was executed under your 
personal observation, on the morning of the 18th instant, his force 
was divided, all of the batteries, east of the hill, being separated 
from the main body of the army encamped on the Jalapa road, west 
of the hill. 

All the positions of the enemy were commanded by the hill it¬ 
self, which was believed by the Mexicans to be inaccessible to our 
troops. The hill being stormed and taken, the main body of the 
enemy fled in the utmost confusion, and but a very few were taken 
prisoners. Many of the troops in the batteries, at the same time, 
made their escape in the hills, throwing away their arms. 

A«Mexican officer assured me that no less than 1,500 thus escaped 
from one single battery. Of those in the batteries, who laid down 


280 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


their arms, more than a thousand contrived to escape on their march 
from the field of battle to Plan del Rio, some five miles or more, 
along a circuitous road, bounded by woods and ravines; and hence 
the number of prisoners on parole is diminished to about 3,000 men, 
exclusive of officers. And, although this may not be the place 
for the expression of an opinion, I feel warranted in saying 
that the defeat was as complete as it was unexpected by the enemy, 
that he was utterly destroyed, captured, or routed, spreading terror 
and consternation throughout the country. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

E. A. HITCHCOCK, 

Lieut. Col. A. Inspector General. 

Major General Winfield Scott, 

General-in-chiefs Jalapa : Mexico. 


CORRESPONDENCE 


BETWEEN 

THE SECRETARY OF WAR 


AND 


MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR, 











282 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Memorandum of correspondence between the Secretary of War and 
Major General Taylor . 

General Taylor to the Secretary of War: 

No. 1. January 7, 1847. (Published, doc. 119,2dses. 29th Con.) 
No. 2. January 14, 1847. 

No. 3. January 14, 1847. Partial list of killed and wounded 
(omitted.) 

No. 4. January 14, 1847. Enclosing returns, &c., (omitted.) 

No. 5. January 26, 1847. 

No. 6. January 26, 1847. 

No. 7. January 26, 1847. 

No. 8. January 26, 1847. 

No. 9. January 27, 1847. 

No. 10. January, 29, 1847. 

No. 11. January, 30, 1847. 

No. 12. February, 4, 1847. 

No. 13. February, 7, 1847. 

No. 14. February, 14, 1847. 

No. 15. February 24, 1847. Battle of Buena Vista, (published, 
present session, doc. 1, page 97.) 

No. 16. February 25, 1847. 

No. 17. March 1, 1847. (Published, doc. No. 1, present session, 
page 99.) 

No. 18. March 6. 1847. Detailed report of battle of Buena Vista, 
(published, doc. No. 1, page 132, present session.) 

Secretary of War to General Taylor, April 3, 1847. 

General Taylor to Secretary of War: 

No. 19. March 6, 1847. 

No. 20. March 15, 1847. 

No. 21. March 20, 1847. 

No. 22. March 20, 1847. 

Secretary of War to General Taylor, 13th April, 1847, relative 
to contribution, (published, doc. No. 1, present session, page 565.) 
Secretary of War to General Taylor, May 6, 1847. 

General Taylor to Secretary of War: 

No. 23. March 22, 1847. 

No. 24. March 27, 1847. Enclosing returns and acknowledging o 
communications, (omitted.) 

No. 25. March 28, 1847. 

No. 26. April 3, 1847. 

No. 27. April 4, 1847. 

No. 28. April 10, 1847. Minor reports of battle of Monterey, (pub¬ 
lished present session.) 



L 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


283 


No. 29. April 11, 1847. 

No. 30. April 17, 1847. Minor reports, battle of Buena Vista, (pub¬ 
lished, doc. No. 1, page 144, present session.) 

No. 31. April 19, 1847. Return of troops, and acknowledg¬ 
ments of orders and letters, (omitted.) 

No. 32. April 20, 1847. 

No. 33. April 21, 1847. 

No. 34. April 25, 1847. 

No. 35. April 28, 1847. Return of troops, (omitted.) 

No. 36. May 2, 1847. 

Orders Nos. 46 and 47, May 6th and 8th, 1847. 

No. 37. May 9, 1847. 

No. 38. May 9, 1847. 

No. 39. May 15, 1847. 

No. 40. May 16, 1847. 

Secretary of War to General Taylor, April 17, 1847. 

General Taylor to Secretary of War, May 16, 1847: 

No. 41. May 23, 1847. 

No. 42. May 26, 1847. 

No. 43. May 27, 1847. 

No. 44. May 28, 1847. 

No. 45. May 29, 1747. 

No. 46. June 4, 1847. Transmits proceedings of a military com¬ 
mission, (omitted.) 

No. 47. June 6, 1847. 

No. 48. June 8, 1847. 

No. 49. June 8, 1847. 

No. 50. June 8, 1847. 

No. 51. June 8, 1847. 

No. 52. June 16, 1847. 

No. 53. June 16, 1847. 

No. 54. June 16, 1847. 

No. 55. June 23, 1847. Return of troops apd acknowledgments 
of communications, (omitted.) 

No. 56. June 23, 1847. 

No. 57. June 30, 1847. 

No. 58. July 6, 1847. 

No. 59. July 13, 1847. 

No. 60. July 13, 1847. 

No. 61. July 20, 1847. Return of troops and acknowledgments of 
communications, (omitted.) 

No. 62. July 27, 1847. 

No. 63. August 3, 1847. 

No. 64. August 10, 1847. 

No. 65. August 16, 1847. 

Secretary of War to General Taylor, May 10, 1857. 

Secretary of War to General Taylor, May 11, 1847. 

The President to General Taylor, May 12, 1847. 


284 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Secretary of War to General Taylor, May 14, 1847. 
do do do May 17, 1847. 

do do do June 14, 1847. 

do do do June 15,1847. (Published, 

doc. No. 1, page 584, present session.) 

Secretary of War to General Taylor, June 26, 1847. 
do do do July 14, 1847. 

do, do do July 17, 1847. 

Generai Taylor to Secretary of War, August 16. 1847. 

No. 66. August 24, 1847. 

No. 67. August 24, 1847. Encloses reports of discharges, (omit¬ 
ted.) 

No. 68. August 30. Encloses returns, (omitted.) 

No. 69. August 31, 1847. 

No. 70. September 7, 1847. 

No. 71. September 14, 1847. 

No. 72. September 14, 1847. Transmitting returns, &c., (omitted.) 

No. 73. September 21, 1847. 

No. 74. September 28, 1847. 

No. 75. October 4, 1847. 

No. 76. October 12, 1847. 

No. 77. October 19, 1847. 

No. 78. October 25, 1847. 

No. 79. October 26, 1847. (Encloses returns, &c., omitted.) 

No. 80. November 2, 1847. 

Secretary of War to General Taylor, October 11, 1847. 
do do do October 18, 1847. 

do do do October 25, 1847. 

Adjutant General to General Taylor. 

General Taylor to Secretary of War, November 14, 1847. 

No. 81. November 14, 1847. 

No. 82. November 23, 1847. 

No. 83. November 24, 1847. 

No. 84. November 25, 1847. 

Secretary of War to General Taylor, January 14, 1848. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


285 


CORRESPONDENCE: 


No. 2. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Victoria , January 14, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully enclose, herewith, the proceedings of the 
general court martial in the case of Brevet Second Lieutenant S. D. 
Sturgis, 2d dragoons, on charges growing out of the recent affair 
between Lieutenant Colonel May’s squadron and a party of the 
enemy; also, the official report of that affair, rendered by Lieuten¬ 
ant Colonel May. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A., commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the army , Washington , D. C. 

[The proceedings of the court martial, referred to above, not 
furnished.] 


Dragoon Camp, near Santa Gracia, 

Mexico , January 2, 1847. 

Major : In addition to the hasty report made from Linares, I 
have now the honor to submit the following more detailed report 
of the operations of my command, wffiile engaged in protecting 
Captain Linnard, topographical engineers, on the reconnoissance 
made in obedience to orders from head-quarters, army of occupa¬ 
tion, dated 25th ultimo. In conformity to those orders, my com¬ 
mand moved from Montemorales on the morning of the 26th, and 
proceeded with the utmost caution towards the pass leading to 
Lappadores. That place was reached in two days, without any 
further interruption than such as arose necessarily from the diffi¬ 
cult pass in which the route pursued is situated. In Lappadores I 
became satisfied, from different manifestations, that our position was 
an imminently dangerous one, and consequently increased the pre¬ 
cautions which I had before supposed would be sufficient to insure 
the safety of my command. I marched from Lappadores as early 
on ihe morning of the 28th as was practicable, for San Pedro, 
which is situated at the entrance of the Santa Rosa pass. Soon 
after leaving Lappadores, I discovered that a considerable body of 
mounted men had preceded my command in the direction of San 
Pedro. During the day I observed two mounted men watching our 




286 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


movements, who, I was satisfied, were spies of the enemy. I ar¬ 
rived at San Pedro near sunset that evening, and camped there for 
the night. On the following morning the march was resumed, and 
in a short time we entered the pass of Santa Rosa, which was 
found to be more difficult than the Morales pass. The whole pass 
is a succession of defiles, through which it is impossible for more 
than one horseman to pass at a time, and to accomplish this it was 
frequently necessary to dismount the command. I was impressed 
strongly with the belief that the enemy was in my front, and ex¬ 
pecting momentarily an attack, I placed an officer iii command of 
the rear guard, which consisted of a non-commissioned officer and 
ten men and one bugler, with orders, in case the rear should be at¬ 
tacked, to sound the alarm. We had proceeded about twelve miles 
from San Pedro, when about two-thirds of the command had passed 
the most difficult defile we had yet encountered, an attack was 
made by the enemy. The attack was commenced by the’explosion 
of a mine, which was rapidly followed by a shower of huge rocks 
precipitated from a high precipice on our right overlooking the 
defile, and by a discharge of small arms from the heights on our 
left. So soon as I had extricated my command from this danger¬ 
ous position, I halted at, and ordered Lieutenant Wood to report 
to me at the defile, with a party of twenty men on foot, for the 
purpose of covering my baggage and assisting the rear guard. I 
returned immediately to the defile, and found that the officer and 
non-commissioned officer attached to the rear guard had abandoned 
it, passed the defile, and left the guard and baggage on the San 
Pedro side. When I appeared in front of the defile, the attack 
was renewed. I attempted to pass it, but found a passage imprac¬ 
ticable. I consequently turned it by scaling the rocks on the left. 
During that operation the attack was continued, fortunately with¬ 
out injury, as the enemy was so far above us as to be unable to fire 
with any accuracy. Several times I ordered him to be fired on, but 
without effect, as the carbine did not carry to the crest of the pre¬ 
cipice. After having turned the defile, I ordered Lieutenant Camp¬ 
bell with twenty men to hold it, and proceeded some distance to 
the rear, and found that the rear guard had abandoned the baggage 
and retreated in the direction of San Pedro. The enemy were 
thus left in possession of our baggage, which was immediately 
conveyed into the mountains by a number of them concealed by 
the immense rocks in the pass. I then proceeded about one mile 
to the rear, in hope of recovering the rear guard. After traversing 
that distance, and using every exertion to notify them of my re¬ 
turn, I became satisfied that it was impossible to recall them. 
Deeming it no longer prudent to detain the command iti the dan¬ 
gerous position where it had already been one hour and a half, I 
returned to it and resumed my march, still anticipating a second 
attack before we could clear the pass. We, however, reached the 
outlet without any further attack. I then halted until after dark 
to rest my men and horses. From that point I sent an express to 
the alcalde of San Pedro, notifying him of what had taken place. 
I herewith enclose his answer, informing me that my rear guard had 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


287 


passed through that place, retreating in the direction of the Lap- 
padores pass. Soon after nightfall I resumed my march, and pro¬ 
ceeded about eight miles in the direction of Linares, where I en¬ 
camped for the night. I reached Linares about 11 o’clock on the 
morning of the 30th, where, owing to the crippled condition of my 
horses, I was detained until the following evening. 

It affords me much pleasure to state the prompt manner in which 
my orders during the attack were executed by Lieutenants Camp¬ 
bell and Wood. I am constrained, at the same time, though with 
deep regret, to state my firm conviction that, if the officer and non¬ 
commissioned officer had not abandoned their guard, the enemy 
would not now be in possession of our baggage, as I consider that 
the guard was amply competent to protect it until assistance was 
afforded. I further report that, by my orders, the officer and non¬ 
commissioned officer are both in arrest, and I will, at the earliest 
moment practicable, prefer the necessary charges. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

C. A. MAY, 

Brevet Lt. Col. 2d dragoons , comdg. 

Major W. W. S. Bliss, Adjutant General , 

Army of occupation , camp near Santa Gracia , Mexico . 


No. 5. 

I Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , January 26, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully report that I received, on the 14th instant, at 
Victoria, the instructions of Major General Scott, relative to the 
withdrawal of a considerable portion of my command for opera¬ 
tions against Vera Cruz. In consequence of the state of supplies, 
I had previously found it necessary to order a movement in the di¬ 
rection of Tampico, arid the regular troops, under Brigadier 
General Twiggs, had marched, on the 14th, as announced in my 
“Orders,” No. 3. As the instructions of General Scott required 
the detachment of nearly all the force then at Victoria, and looked 
to the employment of Tampico as an eligible point of embarka¬ 
tion, I had no cause to change my orders, and, therefore, put in 
march, for Tampico, the brigades of Major General Patterson’s 
division, reserving Lieutenant Colonel May’s squadron of dragoons, 
Captains Sherman and Bragg’s batteries of artillery, and the regi¬ 
ment of Mississippi volunteers. -,* 

With the force thus reserved, I commenced my return march on 
the 16th, and arrived at this place on the 24th instant. On the 
route, I received despatches from Major General Butler, to whom 
Major General Scott had communicated his instructions relative to 
the withdrawal of force from this line, and who had punctually 
carried out those instructions. To make up the number of regular 
troops required by General Scott, it has been necessary to detach 



288 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


all the dragoons, except two squadrons, (Steen’s, of the 1st, and 
May’s, of the 2d,) two batteries of field artillery, (Taylor’s and 
Duncan’s,) and all the infantry and artillery, serving as such, ex¬ 
cepting one company, 1st artillery, (Prentiss’s,) left in garrison here. 
The above detachments have been made from the advance line held 
by the army; what disposition will be made of the four companies of 
artillery stationed on the Rio Grande, at Point Isabel, and Brassos 
island, I cannot say. 

J There are left for the occupation and defence of this line, as 
follows: 

Of regular troops: two squadrons of cavalry, four batteries of 
artillery, (in all 16 guns,) and one company of artillery, stationed 
at the citadel in Monterey. 

Of volunteer troops: two regiments of horse, (Kentucky and 
Arkansas,) eight regiments of foot, and two pieces of artillery. 

The above troops are stationed at Monterey and Saltillo, and in 
advance of the latter position. There are besides, in rear, three 
regiments of volunteer foot, holding the river and the line hence 
to Camargo. Of those regiments it is possible that General Scott 
may withdraw one, (3d, Ohio.) 

1 have not yet heard of the arrival in the country of any of the 
new regiments of volunteers. It is probable that some of those 
regiments will be ordered to report to me, as also the companies of 
mounted rifles now on the lower Rio Grande. 

We hear from the interior that General Santa Anna has certainly 
been elected president, and Gomez Farias vice president of the re¬ 
public. The former, at the last advices from San Luis, has gone 
thence to the capital. The army is represented to be suffering for 
want of supplies, and the Congress seems unwilling or unable to 
vote the necessary appropriations. 

From the direction of Durango, we learn that an action took 
place, at the Paso del Norte, between a detachment of troops from 
Santa Fe and a Mexican force, which had marched from Chihuahua, 
resulting in the defeat and dispersion of the latter with consider¬ 
able loss. It is presumed that our troops are now in possession of 
Chihuahua. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A. y commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 6. 

Head quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Mont cry, January 26, 1847. 

Sir: I have the melancholy duty of reporting the death of Second 
Lieutenant Jno. A. Richey , 5th infantry, who was foully murdered, 
on the 13th instant, in the town of Villa Gran, State of Taumau- 
lipas. 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


289 


Lieutenant Richey had been despatched by Major General But¬ 
ler, from Saltillo, with important communications for my head¬ 
quarters, with an escort of ten dragoons. On reaching Villa 
Gran, he separated himself from his escort for the purpose of 
purchasing provisions and forage, and was set upon by a party 
of Mexican ruffians, who put him to death. I passed through the 
town a few days afterwards, and made every effort, by the offer of 
rewards, &c., to recover the despatches and arrest the murderers. 
One person, undoubtedly implicated in the transaction, is now in 
custody. The despatches have undoubtedly been forwarded to the 
Mexican general-in-chief at San Luis. Among them were the in¬ 
structions of Major General Scott to me, of January 3d^ revealing 
the operations with which he is charged, and the amount of force 
to be withdrawn from this frontier. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR. 

Major General U. S. A., commanding . 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 7. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , January 26, 1847. 

Sir: I beg leave to invite your attention to the necessity of 
.placing in an efficient condition the few companies of regular troops 
left under my command, particularly those of artillery. The bat¬ 
teries of Captains Sherman and Bragg are very feebly manned, 
while the companies of Captains Webster and Prentiss, 1st artil¬ 
lery, are still weaker. One hundred good men, enlisted specially 
for the field artillery, could be advantageously assigned here, while 
as many more, from the general service, could be absorbed by the 
companies which serve on foot here and at the depots in rear. 
The regular force under my orders is so small that it seems highly 
important to keep its ranks well filled. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding . 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 8. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , January 26, 1847. 

$ir : In my communication of July 27, 1846, presenting the 
names of such officers as I considered entitled to the distinction of 

19 




290 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


brevet commissions fot their participation in the affairs of the 8th 
and 9th of May, I stated that I might afterwards find it necessary 
to recommend a few names in addition. I have now the honor to 
submit the names of the following officers, in addition to those 
first presented : 

General staff. —Brevet Second Lieutenant Brereton, Ordnance 
Department. 

Second dragoons. —Captain Graham, Lieutenants Winship, Plea¬ 
santon, and Sackett. 

Seventh infantry. —First Lieutenant Hanson. 

I will also submit the name of Major Munroe, second artillery. 
Though not engaged in the field, I deem him fairly entitled to the 
honor of a brevet for his arduous and highly valuable services in 
the command of Fort Polk. 

In reply to so much of the communication of the Secretary of 
War, dated July 11, as requests me to state u Whether there are 
any non-commissioned officers or privates whose general conduct 
and gallantry in these affairs are such as to warrant their being fa¬ 
vorably noticed by the government, or whose claims would entitle 
them to promotion,” I have to reply that the names of all the 
enlisted men engaged on those occasions are now on file here, with 
remarks in many individual cases. These lists, or an extract of 
them, can be furnished if required ; but the only individual recom¬ 
mended for promotion has received it, viz : Sergeant Major Malo¬ 
ney, 4th infantry. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 

To the Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


No. 9. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , January 27, 1847. 

Sir: My despatch No. 5 has advised you of the measures taken 
to meet Major General Scoffs requisition for troops, and, as nearly 
as practicable at this time, of the amount and description of force 
left under my orders in this part of Mexico. Having fulfilled my 
duty in carrying out what I believed to be the wishes of the gov¬ 
ernment, I. now beg leave to invite the attention of the department 
to several points of grave interest to myself, and not without im¬ 
portance in their bearing upon the public service. I have, there¬ 
fore, to request that this communication may be laid before the 
Secretary of War, and by him be submitted to the President of the 
United States.' 

I will first speak of the extraordinary reserve manifested by the 
Department of War in not communicating to me the intentions of 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


291 


the government—at least in regard to the withdrawal of so large a 
portion of my command. Had I not been deemed a safe repository 
of its purposes, I might, at any rate, have been instructed to hold 
the troops in readiness for detachment. A special messenger, des¬ 
patched from Washington when the employment of Major General 
Scott was determined upon, would have reached me at the very 
latest by the 8th of December—in time to suspend the movement 
on Victoria, to spare a portion of the army, including myself, a long 
and expensive march of 400 miles, and to prevent the murder of a 
young officer with important despatches, now in the hands of the ene¬ 
my. But, up to this moment, I have not received a syllable from the 
Department of War on this subject—my only advices being a semi¬ 
official letter from Major General Scott, in New York, dated Novem¬ 
ber 25, and received by me December 24; his instructions of January 
3, received January 14 ; and his letter of December 20 from New Or¬ 
leans, received January 16. All these delays and accidents would 
have been avoided by the employment of a special messenger, and 
I can hardly believe that the occasion was not deemed important 
enough to warrant that course. 

Having been placed in command of the army, and charged with 
the operations against Mexico by the orders of the President of the 
United States, had I chosen to be punctilious, I might have declin¬ 
ed to make any detachment from my force without the same 
authority expressly communicated ; but believing that Major Gen¬ 
eral Scott was possessed of the views and wishes of the govern¬ 
ment, I had no hesitation in complying to the fullest extent with 
his call for troops, and should have done so equally had it placed 
me under the necessity of abandoning all that has been gained in 
this quarter. I have the satisfaction of knowing that the troops he 
has required have been promptly placed in position for embarka¬ 
tion, and that no delay whatever has occurred in carrying out his 
instructions as soon as received. 

Again I would respectfully state that no reply has been received 
to my communications of October 15, November 8, and November 
12, replying, respectively, to the despatches brought out by Lieu¬ 
tenant Armistead, Major Graham, and Mr. McLane. In those com¬ 
munications I expressed fully and frankly my views on many im¬ 
portant points connected with the prosecution of the campaign, and 
had reason to expect at least the courtesy of an acknowledgment. 

While exercising a command which, it is well known, I never 
sought, it has been my constant aim to perform my whole duty 
without fear and without favor. The best interests of the service 
and the country have been my guide, and will continue to be while 
I remain in command, however limited may be my force or embar¬ 
rassing my situation ; but from the course which the department 
has pursued in the above particulars, I am constrained to believe 
that I no longer possess the confidence of the government. I can 
only regret that the President did not think proper, while withdraw¬ 
ing so large a portion of my command in the manner above indicated, 
to relieve me from a position where I can no longer serve the coun- 


292 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

try with that assurance of confidence and support so indispensable 
to success. 

The force with which I am left in this quarter, though greatly 
deficient in regular troops, will, doubtless, enable me to hold the 
positions now occupied. Major General Scott seems to expect that 
I will assume offensive operations—say, by March ; but from what 
I have heretofore reported on the subject of such operations, I am 
sure they will not be expected by the department with my present 
means. The terms of service of nearly all the regiments here will 
expire in May and June, and it will become an important question 
how to replace those regiments in time even for defensive purposes. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A. : commanding. 

To the Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


No, 10. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , January 29, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith reports rendered by 
Brevet Colonel McIntosh, of the services of his regiment (5th 
infantry) in the actions of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and 
respectfully request that they may be filed with the other reports 
of those affairs. 

I have to acknowledge copies of your communications of Decem¬ 
ber 1st, to Assistant Surgeon Simons; of December 3d, to Colonel 
Crane and Major Clark, and of December 7th, to Brevet Colonel 
McIntosh; “general orders,” Nos. 52, 53, and 54, and 39 and 40, 
[duplicates;] also “ special orders,” Nos. 112, 113, and 114, and 
81, [duplicate.] 

In acknowledging “ general orders,” No. 54, I would remark 
that Assistant Surgeon Wells was permitted to leave the country 
some time since, and it is not known that he has returned. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding . 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


New York, December 2, 1846. 

Sir: As an act of justice to the regiment which I had the honor 
to command in the actions of the 8th and 9th of May last at Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and as an act of duty which I owe to 
jnyself and my country, I have the honor to submit for your con- 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


293 


sideration a report of the services rendered by the 5th regiment of 
infantry while it continued under my command, up to the time I 
was wounded, which wa^ near the close of the action of the 9th. 

It is proper to state that, in-consequence of wounds which I re¬ 
ceived at that time, I have not, until recently, been able to make 
this report. Time, and our active operations in the field, did not 
permit me to enter upon this duty during the interval of the two 
engagements. Circumstances have therefore prevented me, until 
this late period, from bearing testimony to the part performed by 
the gallant corps then under my command in the brilliant victories 
of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. 

On the 8th of May, the 5th infantry, on the right flank of the 
army, advanced, in obedience to your orders, in line of battle, in 
th.e direction of the enemy, until our batteries were thrown forward 
to answer his fire. This fire was received with great firmness by 
my command for about half an hour, when it was discovered that 
there was a movement of a large body of the enemy’s cavalry from 
his left, passing around a skirt of woods towards our right flank, 
apparently with the intention of turning it. I received orders to 
march the regiment in that direction and intercept them; ia obe¬ 
dience to which, we moved promptly to the right and rear until we 
gained a position which would cover our wagon train, and where I 
supposed the enemy must pass. A moment afterward they were 
seen approaching along the border of the chapparel, about three 
hundred yards from us, and numbering, at the least estimate, over 
one thousand of his choicest troops. I immediately caused the 
regiment to form square to receive them. As soon as they observed 
this disposition on our part they formed for a charge, and came at 
a rapid speed along a small morass, some two hundred yards dis¬ 
tant from the first front of our square. Here they turned to the 
right and towards our second front, advancing within about eighty 
yards, and delivered their fire. I was much gratified, at this crisis, 
to observe the cool and determined courage of my officers, and the 
encouragement they gave their men to stand firm in their places, 
impressing upon them the importance of maintaining the square. 

This was one of those moments which try the discipline and 
courage of the true soldier. After delivering his fire, the enemy 
continued to advance with energy and determination until within 
forty or fifty yards of our second front. When I ordered this front 
to fire, most fatal and decisive was the effect; many of the enemy 
fell; the charging column was thrown into disorder and retreated. 
While on the retreat, and when about five hundred yards from, and 
opposite to, our first front, they met two guns of their horse artillery 
advancing to their support. Here they halted to protect and to 
give their artillery an opportunity to fire into our square. At this 
opportune moment, Lieutenant Ridgely, who had been ordered to 
report to me with two pieces of artillery, was seen approaching 
with the guns, his horses at full speed; he opened his fire so 
promptly, and with such effect, that the enemy’s artillery were 
completely routed,and retreated precipitately, under the protection 
of their cavalry, without discharging a gun. 


294 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


The gallantry of my officers, and good conduct of my men, were 
most conspicuous—all that a commander co^ild desire. The repulse 
of the enemy was so signally executed that I trust it had an influ¬ 
ence upon the fortunes of the day. It affords me pleasure to state 
that the gallant bearing of Lieutenants Ridgely and French, and 
the effective fire of their guns, was a subject of marked admiration; 
as also the conduct of Captain Walker with his small command of 
Texan rangers. Towards the close of the day, the 5th infantry, 
retaining its position upon the right, was thrown forward, under the 
direction of Colonel Twiggs, on the prolongation of the new line 
of battle prepared to protect our right flank from a repetition of 
the enemy’s charge. During a portion of this time the enemy’s 
artillery poured a galling fire into us, from which the men were, in 
a measure, sheltered, by being made to sit down, thus allowing many 
of their balls to pass over them. While in this position a cannon 
shot struck into a squadron of dragoons, moving through a marsh 
in front of us, killing some horses and disabling one man. Soon 
afterwards, Captain Martin Scott, attracted by his groans to observe 
his situation, advanced with, and under a severe fire, and withdrew 
him from the mud and water under his horse, and sent him to the 
surgeons, by whom his life was saved. Such acts of gallantry and 
humanity deserve our admiration. The 5th regiment occupied this 
position until near the close of the action, when it was ordered to 
the baggage train, and there reposed upon its arms. To Major 
Stainford my thanks are due for his prompt assistance in the field. 

I was much gratified with the gallant conduct of Captains Scott, 
(acting as field officer,) Merrill, Smith, Hooe, and Chapman; First 
Lieutenants Marcy, Ruggles, Stevenson, Whitall, Deas, (adjutant,) 
and Second Lieutenants Fowler, Norwell, Rosecrants, J. P. Smith, 
Edmund K. Smith, G. P. Pitcher, and Crittenden, all of whom I 
respectfully recommend to your most favorable consideration. 
The conduct of the nOn-commissioned officers and men, including 
the regimental band attached to the grenadier company, armed with 
muskets, was worthy of all praise. 

The strength of the regiment was about three hundred and fifty 
men, of whom four were severely wounded during the action. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

j. s. McIntosh, 

Colonel Brevet United States Army . 

Major W. W. S. Bliss, 

Assistant Adjutant General , Army of Occupation , 

Monterey , Mexico . 


New York, December 2, 1846. 

Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the ser¬ 
vices of the 5th regiment of infantry while under my command, on 
the 9th of May last, in the action of Resaca de la Palma. 

' On the morning of the 9th, our army formed line (the 5th infantry 
still occupying the right flank) upon the ground where the battle 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


295 


of the 8th had been fought. After advancing a short distance 
towards the enemy the army was halted, and the 5th infantry thrown 
forward into a clump of woods on our right, to ascertain if the 
enemy had taken up a new position beyond the woods. 

It was soon ascertained that he had retreated towards Fort 
Brown, and the army in column of companies, the 5th infantry in 
front, put in motion towards that point in pursuit. 

This position of the regiment was retained until we arrived near 
the enemy at R'esaca de la Palma, when I was ordered to deploy it 
to the left of the road, so as to cover a large portion of the enemy’s 
line, advance upon him and commence the action. The regiment 
extended promptly and marched towards the enemy. When within 
about one hundred and fifty yards of them, they opened afire upon 
us with their artillery and small arms; at this time, finding the 
regiment had extended too far to the left, I ordered it to close to 
the right, and a portion of it crossed over to the right of the road 
and there engaged the enemy, who occupied a strong position on 
the ravine. Thus the regiment was exposed to the full force of 
the fire of the Mexican army for about fifteen minutes, before any 
other infantry, except Captain McCall’s advance party, had time to 
arrive to its support. During this period, the 5th infantry kept up 
a most galling and incessant fire upon the enemy, killing and 
wounding many of them, until a squadron of dragoons was ordered 
to make a charge, when, immediately afterwards, the regiment 
advanced with impetuosity and charged the enemy’s line. 

The dense chapparel, and a want of knowledge of the ground, 
compelled the officers to operate separately and independently, as 
it was impossible in extended order to see but few men on the right 
and left. 

Captains and subalterns led forward their men regardless of con¬ 
cert, and charged a large portion of the enemy’s line. Captains 
Murrill, Smith, and Hooe, Lieutenants Ruggles, Whitall, Fowler 
and Rosecrant’s, company commanders, Lieutenants Crittenden and 
Edmund K. Smith, with their men, charged his centre and right 
with great effect; while Captain Chapman, Lieutenants Marcy and 
Stevenson, commanding companies, and Lieutenants Norvell and J. 
P. Smith, with their men, charged the left of the enemy’s line, 
routing him from his first position and taking several prisoners. 
Captain Martin Scott, (acting as field officer,) with a small party of 
men, in conjunction with a portion of Captain McCall’s party, ad¬ 
vanced on the enemy’s right wing, and engaged in a deadly con¬ 
flict at close quarters for some considerable time before he was re¬ 
inforced. Lieutenant Fowler, who had in the meantime recovered 
from the stunning effects of a grape shot sufficiently to join in the 
conflict, and Captain E. K. Smith, Lieutenants Rosecrant’s, Whitall, 
Crittenden, and Edmund K. Smith, with their men, engaged the 
enemy at some of his guns in the ravine, and carried them. While 
the 5th infantry was thus engaged, Captain Hooe received a grape 
shot wound in his sword arm, while gallantly charging a battery at 
the head of a few men, on the border of the ravine where the 
second line of the enemy was posted. This compelled him to leave 


296 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


the field. About this time, I encountered in personal combat five 
of the enemy, and was overpowered, receiving three bayonet wounds, 
which disabled me from keeping the field, when the command of 
the regiment devolved upon Major Stainford. 

The enemy were mostly routed, and five pieces of their artillery 
were captured before I fell. 

It is but justice to state, that the cooperation of the 3d and 4th 
regiments of infantry, and Captain McCall’s advance party, con¬ 
tributed much to our success. There were so mapy instances of 
daring on the part of both officers and men, that I am unable to 
designate among them one more deserving than another; and while 
I recommend them to your favorable consideration for distinguished 
gallantry, I perform a duty most gratifying to my feelings. 

Reports have already been made of the killed and wounded in 
that day’s action, it is unnecessary for me to advert to it. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

j. s. McIntosh, 

Colonel Battalion (J. S. Army . 

Major W. W. S. Bliss, 

A. A. General , Army of Occupation , Monterey , Mexico. 


No. 11. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , January 30, 1847. 

Sir : I respectfully enclose a report from Brigadier General 
Wool, dated the 27th instant, which commuhicates the unpleasant 
intelligence of the capture, by the enemy, of two reconnoitring 
parties from the Kentucky and Arkansas regiments of cavalry, 
numbering in all about 85 men; also, his report of the29th, announc¬ 
ing the capture of another small party from the Kentucky regiment. 
It will be perceived that these unfortunate occurrences have been 
the direct result of a want of vigilance and disobedience of orders; 
it is hoped they may prove a lesson to the troops. The intelli¬ 
gence from the front is of such a character, as to induce me to 
change my head-quarters immediately to Saltillo, for which place 
I will march to-morrow, with Lieutenant Colonel May’s squadron, 
two batteries, and the regiment of Mississippi volunteers. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding . 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


Head-quarters, Buena Vista, 

January 27, 1847. 

Major: During the alarms of the approach of the Mexicans upon 
Saltillo, I sent Major Borland, with fifty men, to make a recon- 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


297 


noissance of the San Luis Potosi road, and, if practicable, to go as 
far as Encarnacion, about fifty-five miles from Saltillo, for the pur¬ 
pose of ascertaining whether or not the enemy had aclvanced to 
that place, and to return immediately and to report the result of 
his observations. He left on the 18th, and arrived at the Encar¬ 
nacion the next morning, but found no troops there, they having left 
the morning before. Instead of returning, as ordered, he took the 
liberty of halting, and sent an express to Colonel Yell for a rein¬ 
forcement. 

Colonel Yell, on receiving the major’s application, sends to me 
for permission to go with his whole regiment to join the major, and 
to go as far as the Salado. I sent the application to Major General 
Butler, w r ho refused it, but sent me word by the bearer Ire would 
se6 me in a few moments. Shortly after, I sent the refusal to 
Colonel Yell. The general called at my tent, when I proposed to 
send an order for the immediate recall of Major Borland. The 
general replied there was no necessity of sending the order, as he 
was immediately going to see Cplonel Yell, and, if necessary, he 
would give the order. 

It appears that Major Borland was joined by Major Gaines’s and 
Captain Clay’s companies, about 30 or 35 strong, who were ordered 
by General Butler to make a reconnoissance in the same direction. 
They decided at once to continue their reconnoissance as far as the 
Salado; the result of which was the surprise and capture of the 
whole party, by about 500 Mexican cavalry, commanded by 
General Minon. 

It is reported they were surprised early in the morning, while 
asleep, with no pickets or sentinels t© guard against surprise. 
When the report was first received, I did not believe it, and sent 
Colonel Yell with a part of his regiment on the Potosi road, to as¬ 
certain the truth of the report; giving him instructions to be 
cautious, and not to advance too far, with a guard in front and on 
the flanks to prevent a surprise, and to return immediately and re¬ 
port. The colonel, however, proceeded to the Encarnacion, where 
he found no troops; and was about, contrary to my orders, to pur¬ 
sue the same course of the major, and to proceed in the direction 
of Salado, when he received information from Mexicans of the ap¬ 
proach of General Minon, with 3,000 cavalry. From his account, 
he barely escaped being captured. 

We have various reports of some 3,000 to 5,000 cavalry and in¬ 
fantry approaching for the purpose £>f cutting off our outposts and 
supplies. I cannot believe that any troops have advanced beyond 
the Encarnacion. I have ordered the troops in front and on the 
Palomas road to keep up an active reconnoissance on all the roads 
by which the enemy can approach us. I find it, however, difficult 
indeed to induce the volunteers to obey orders, either as pickets, 
sentinels, or as reconnoitring parties. Notwithstanding the recent 
capture of Major Borland and party, and the most positive orders 
to guard against surprises, two of the outposts had paid no atten¬ 
tion to either, and went to sleep without a sentind or picket; at 


298 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


least so it has been reported by those I sent to enforce my orders, 
and to look out’for the enemy. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, &c. See. 

JOHN E. WOOL, 

Brigadier General. 

To Major W. W. S. Bliss, 

Assistant Adjutant General , 

Major Gen. Taylor’s Head-quarters. 

(Endorsement on fourth page of the above letter.) 

By your permission I have opened this letter. 

W. O. BUTLER, 

Major General , fyc. 


, Head-quarters, Buena Vista, 

January 29, 1847. 

General: Since mine of the 27th instant, we have had the usual 
nightly alarms of the approach of the enemy. They all come from 
Saltillo. 

The enemy, undoubtedly, is at Encarnacion, and perhaps small 
parties have been within twelve leagues of Saltillo. It is also re¬ 
ported by Mexicans that a considerable number of rancheros have 
embodied themselves, and are not far off, laying in wait for any 
small reconnoitring parties that may come in their way. 

It was reported to me last night that a party, consisting of 
Captain Heady and seventeen men, Kentucky volunteers, were cap¬ 
tured on the 27th by a party of rancheros, under the following cir¬ 
cumstances: Captain Heady was sent out on a reconnoitring party 
by Lieutenant Colonel Fields. When about 12 or 15 miles from 
their station, they stopped at a ranche and asked for liquor to 
drink. It was immediately furnished, and in abundance. The men 
became intoxicated, and in that condition left the ranche. They 
were afterwards captured, and, as reported, without resistance, or 
a gun’s being fired. I have no idea of the city of Saltillo or the 
troops at this place being attacked. I presume, however, until 
some decisive measures are taken to check them, our reconnoitring 
parties will be in danger, especially if they are not more vigilant 
than they have heretofore been. 

I have the honor to be, &c. 

JOHN E. WOOL, 

Brigadier General. 

Major General Taylor, 

Commanding the Army of Occupation, 

Monterey 5 Mexico. 

P. S.—As I was not placed in command, but assumed, from a 
notice that Major General Butler would be absent four or five days, 
the command of the troops at or near Saltillo, hence I do not feel 
authorized to make any movement of the troops beyond what I sup¬ 
posed to be the intention of General Butler. 

W. 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


299 


The following is a list of the detachment under Captain Heady. 
They left camp on the morning of the 26th, and were captured on 
the 27th of January. 


Captain W. J. Heady. 
Lieutenant T. Churchill. 
Sergeant J. W. Owings. 

“ L. White. 
Corporal James Springer. 
u George Sharp. 
u James Kemp. 
Private A. Alexander. 


u 

G. Bennett. 

u 

J. F. Bell. 

u 

W. J. Clark. 

it 

W. Devisorruandi. 

u 

R. Thomas. 

(( 

D. W. Levan. 

u 

J. C. Stalman. 

u 

J. Vidits. 

u 

J. Marshall. 

u 

W. Thomas. 

Interpreter-White, Price 

February 4, 1847. 


company. 

E. M. VAUGHN, Adjutant . 


No. 12. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Saltillo , February 4, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully report that I arrived at this place on the 2d 
instant, with the troops mentioned in my despatch, No. 11. The 
enemy had been reported in considerable force in this neighbor¬ 
hood, and the reports of his advance assumed such a positive shape, 
that I was induced to hasten my departure from Monterey. On 
arriving here, however, I found everything quiet in our front. 
The force which made the recent captures was entirely of cavalry, 
and is believed to have fallen back to its first position in the vi¬ 
cinity of Mataquala. Indeed it is reported that a large portion of 
the troops at San Luis have taken the direction of Vera Cruz. I 
expect to be advised in a few days, on this and other points, touch¬ 
ing the position and movements of the enemy. 

In order to restore confidence among the volunteer troops, which 
has been a little shaken by. the late disasters, and at the same time 
to cause the return of the inhabitants of Saltillo, who have been 
driven from their homes by the frequent alarms, I propose to es¬ 
tablish a camp at Agua Nueva, 18 miles in advance of this posi¬ 
tion, to which point I will remove all the troops, except a select 
garrison to hold Saltillo and guard the public stores in that city. 
My head-quarters will be changed to that place to-morrow. 




300 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


A detachment of recruits for the 3d infantry, under the command 
of Captain Gordon, were left in Monterey when the regular troops 
were detached from this quarter to report to Major General Scott. 
The batteries which I brought from Victoria, and the two compa¬ 
nies of artillery (C and E, 1st artillery) at this place and Saltillo, 
are greatly reduced, and as I have no other means of rendering 
them effective, I have deemed it a matter of absolute necessity to 
attach Captain Gordon’s recruits to them, as you will see from ray 
u special orders,” No. 7. Should recruits arrive for those compa¬ 
nies, the men now attached may join their regiment. Nothing but 
the most urgent necessity, resulting from the prospect of immedi¬ 
ate service, has caused this temporary assignment. 1 trust it will 
not be disapproved by the department. 

From u Agua Nueva ” I shall address you more fully in regard 
to the state of the service in this quarter. I will also furnish lists 
of the volunteers recently captured, &c. 

Our latest official date from Washington is December 10th, 
though newspapers have been received of December 31st. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 13. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Agua Nueva , 18 miles south of Saltillo , Feb. 7, 1847. 

Sir: I changed my head-quarters to this place on the 5th instant, 
bringing forward, in the first instance, Lieutenant Colonel May’s 
squadron of dragoons, two batteries, (Sherman’s and Bragg’s,) and 
the regiment of Mississippi riflemen. Yesterday, the 2d Ken¬ 
tucky and 2d and 3d Indiana regiments came up, and will be join¬ 
ed in another day or two by the other troops in and near Saltillo, 
except the small garrison of seven companies left in that town. 

Although advised by Major General Scott to evacuate Saltillo, I 
am confirmed in my purpose of holding not only that point, but this 
position in its front. Not to speak of the pernicious moral effect 
upon volunteer troops of falling back from points which we have 
gained, there are powerful military reasons for occupying this ex¬ 
tremity of the pass rather than the other. The scarcity of water 
and supplies for a long distance in front compels the enemy either 
to risk an engagement in the field or to hold himself aloof from us; 
while, if we fell back upon Monterey, he could establish himself 
strongly at Saltillo, and be in position to annoy more effectually 
our flanks and our .communications. 

I have no intelligence from the interior more recent or more au¬ 
thentic than that heretofore communicated. There is understood 
to be no considerable force in our front, nor is it likely that any 
serious demonstration will be made in this direction. The fre- 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


301 


quent alarms since the middle of December, seem to have been 
without substantial foundation. I am happy to add, that the popu¬ 
lation of Saltillo is fast returning to the city. Under Ihe judicious 
management of Major Warren, a discreet officer of Illinois volun¬ 
teers, who commands in the town, it is hoped that the people may 
remain quietly in their homes. 

I respectfully enclose copies of statements showing the names of 
the officers and men recently captured by the enemy, as reported 
in my despatch, No. 11. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A., commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army, 

Washington, D. C. 


Report of the men captured at Encarnacion, belonging to Ken 
tucky volunteers, (cavalry.) 

1. Lieutenant Geo. R. Davidson. 

2. Corporal John Swigert. 

3. Musician James Herring. 

4. Private J. G. Baites. 


5. 

u 

Cyrus Calvert. 

6. 

u 

Robert Cochran. 

7. 

u 

Z. Dougherty. 

8. 

u 

A. W. Holeman. 

9. 

u 

John A. Scott. 

10. 

A 

A. Wilkerson. 

11. 

U 

H. S. Wood. 

12. 

l'. 

Wm. Whitehead. 


The above are from Captain Milam’s company. 

13. Wm. L. Paine, second sergeant, from Captain Pennington’s 

company. 

14. Private B. S. Dowell. 


15. 

u 

Wm. Fuhk.* 

16. 

u 

John Scott. 

17. 

u 

James Kenedy. 

18. 

u 

A. Ware. 

19. 

a 

J. W. Johnson. 

20. 

A 

John Magner. 

21. 

u 

Benj. R. Myers. 

22. 

u 

Isaac Rodgers. 

23. 

u 

Wm. Kelly. 


The following are from Captain C. M. Clay’s company. 

24. Captain C. M. Clay. 

25. Private Alfred Ayebright. 

26. u David Barry. 

27. “ A. C, Bryan, 



302 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


28. Private BeTnj. Chapman. 

29. u John J. Finch. 

30. ci Harrison Igo. 

31. “ David C. Jones. 

32. “ C. E. Morney. 

33. “ Wm. Ratcliffe. 

34. ci John Richardson. 

35. Jacob Walker. 

Privates in the Tennessee regiment of cavalry, sent to Captain 
C. M. Clay’s company by General Rutler. 

The above constitute the command under Major John P. Gaines, 
who left camp on the morning of the 18th instant, and who are 
said to be captured by the enemy. 

E. M. VAUGHN, 

Adjutant 1st regiment Kentucky cavalry. 


Camp at La Encantada, 
Mexico , January 31, 1847. 

The following is a list of the names of the members of the Ar¬ 
kansas regiment, captured at Encarnacion: 

1. Major Solon Borland. 

2. Captain Christopher C. Danley, company B. 

3. 1st Sergeant Simon Cason, Captain Porter’s company, A. 

4. Farrier James Richmond. 

5. Private Robert Adams. 

6. u James Crooks. 

7. u William T. Edwards. 

8. 6C John Magress.* 

9. u Moses Nelson. 

10. u George Ramsey. 

11. u Washington Tuggle. 

12. u Oliver P. Bilbey, Captain Danley’s company, B. 

13. u Emsey Brown. 

14. u William Russel. 

15. u Ezekiel P. Martin. * 

16. u Charles S. Mooney. 

17. u Paul Williams. 

18. u Pulaski Whitten. 

19. 2d Sergeant Charles G. Lyon, Captain Hunter’s company, H. 

20. Private George Underwood. 

21. u William J. Reeves. 

22. u William R. Speegle. 

23. u Thomas Webb. 

24. u Russell Williams, Capt. R. G. Preston’s company, H 

25. “ Joel W. Curtis. J ’ ' 

26. u Richard Steele. 

27. 6i Richard Huggins. 

28. “ Thomas Smart, Captain English’s company, G. 

29. u William Montgomery. 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


303 


30. PrivateTJoseph Jester. 

31. u Stephen Jester. 

32. u Anderson Stinton. 

33. u Andrad Marshall, Captain Dillard’s company, F. 

34. u John Finley. 

35. u William Holman. 

By order of Colonel Yell, commanding Arkansas volunters. 

J. MEARES, Adjutant. 


14. 

. Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Agua Kueva , February 14, 1847. 

Sir: Since my last despatch of February 7th, the occupation of 
this position has been completed, by the arrival of Brigadier Ge¬ 
neral Wool, with the remaining corps left in rear. The troops are 
now conveniently encamped, and can readily take up excellent de¬ 
fensive positions w T hen necessary. Every thing is quiet in and about 
Saltillo. 

I am urging supplies forward as rapidly as practicable from the 
rear, and from the direction of Parras, for, if joined by a sufficient 
force of the new regiments, I wish to be able to take advantage of 
any opportunity that may offer to create a diversion in favor of 
Major General Scott’s operations. Of those new regiments, none 
have yet been reported to me, nor do I know how many I may cal¬ 
culate upon, for service in this quarter. 

I can communicate no very recent intelligence from the interior. 
Up to the 26th of January, the Mexican congress had done nothing 
to supply the wants of the army, which had received nothing for 
January, and but half the necessary funds for December. Rumors 
reach our camp, from time to time, of the projected advance of a 
Mexican force upon this position, but I think such a movement im¬ 
probable. The command is held at all times in readiness for the 
enemy. 

I respectfully enclose a continuation of the list of killed, wounded 
and missing, incident to the operations before Monterey, as com¬ 
plete as it can be made from the records in my possession. There 
yet remain to be reported the wounded of company A, 3d artillery, 
killed and wounded of the 4th artillery, and killed and wounded 
of the 2d (Colonel Wood’s) regiment Texas mounted volunteers. 
These few remaining names, it is presumed, can be supplied from 
the regimental returns or muster rolls, on file in your office. 

Our last official dates from Washington are to the 10th of Janua¬ 
ry. The mail of yesterday, which brought Washington newspapers 
as late as the 15th, had nothing from your office. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding. 

To the Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D, C, 




304 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Continuation of the list of killed , wounded , and missing , o/* Me army 
of occupation , during the operations before Monterey , from Sep¬ 
tember 21, to September 23, 1846. 


Names. 

Rank. 

*p- 

s 

o 

O 

Regiment. 

Remarks. 

Killed.— Regulars. 





Rowland Green.... 

Private 

C 

1st artill’y. 

September 21st. 

William Rihl. 

u 

A 

8th inf’y. 

September 22d. 

Volunteers. 





Daniel McCarty . .. 

u 

D 

1st Tex. m. 

September 23d. 

A. W. J. D. Austin. 

Bugler 

E 

u 

September 2Pst. 

Jno. M. Fullerton.. 

Corp’l 

I 

u 

September 21st. 

Wounded.— Reg's. 
Henry Busse. 

Private 

A 

2d artillery 

Sept. 23d. Slightly. 

Paul Bunzy. 

u 

H 

u 

Sept. 23d. Slightly. 

James Lynch. 

u 

A 

3d artillery 

Sept. 22. severely; died 

Michael Rock. 

Serg’t 

B 

8th inf’y. 

of wounds Sep. 30. 
September 22d. 

Thomas Wills. 

u 

D 

u 

September 21st. 

William Marshall.. 

u 

D 

u 

September 22d. 

Richard Riley. 

Private 

C 

u 

September 23d. 

Lawrence Tacey. .. 

u 

K 

u 

September 23d. 

James McKnight... 

a 

I 

u 

September 23d. 

Volunteers. 




R. A. Gillespie .... 

Capt’n 

K 

1st Tex. m. 

Sept. 22, mortally; died 

John Rabb . 

Private 

C 

cc 

of wounds, Sept. 23. 
September 21st. 

N. P. Browning.. .. 

a 

F 

u 

September 23d. 

William Casly. 

a 

H 

u 

September 21st. 

Jas. B. Barry. 

Serg’t 

I 

a 

September 21st. 

B. F. Keys. 

Private 

u 

u 

September 21st. 

Clinton De Witt... 

Serg’t 

A 

u 

September 21st. 

Herman S. Thomas. 

Private 

a 

u 

Sep. 22, mortally; died 

Fielding Alston.. .. 

a 

a 

u 

of wounds, Sept. 23. 
September 21st. 

Oliver Jenkins. 

a 

u 

u 

September 21st. 

John Law. 

a 

u 

a 

September 22d. 

Joel F. Minter. 

a 

u 

u 

September 21st. 

John P. Waters.... 

a 

u 

u 

September 21st. 

G. M. Armstrong .. 

a 

u 

u 

September 21st. 

Gilbert Brush.. .... 

a 

a 

.c 

September 22d. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

./3gwa Nueva , February 14, 1847. 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General , 17. command'g. 































Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 16. 


305 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Saltillo , February 25, 1847. 

Sir: 1 have respectfully to report that the main Mexican force 
is yet at Agua Nueva. Our troops hold the positions which they 
have so well defended, and are prepared to receive the enemy 
should he venture another attack. 

An arrangement has been made with General Santa Anna for an 
exchange of prisoners, by which we shall receive all or nearly all 
of those captured from us at different times, besides the few taken in 
the action of the 23d. Our wounded, as well as those of the Mexi¬ 
cans which have fallen into our hands, have been removed to this 
place, and are rendered comfortable. 

Our loss in the recent action, so far as ascertained, amounts to 
264 killed, 450 wounded, and 26 missing. One company of the 
Kentucky cavalry is not included in this statement, its casualties 
not being yet reported. I respectfully enclose a list of the com¬ 
missioned officers killed and wounded, embracing many names of 
the highest merit. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding. 

The Adjutant General, 

of the army , Washington , D. C. 


List of officers killed and wounded in the action of Buena Vista , 23d 

February , 1847. 


Regulars. 

General staff. 

Killed .Captain Geo. Lincoln, assistant adjutant general. 

Wounded. .Brevet Second Lieutenant Bryan, topographical en¬ 
gineers. 

Company E , 3d artillery. 

Wounded, ft cond Lieutenant W. G. French,.severely. 

Company B : 4th artillery. 

ft 

Wounded . .First Lieutenant O’Brien, slightly. 

Volunteers. 


Mississippi rifles. 

Killed .First Lieutenant R. L. Moore. 

u Second Lieutenant Francis McNulty. 

20 



306 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Wounded, .Colonel Jefferson Davis, severely. 
u Captain J. M. Sharp, severely. 

(C Lieutenant A. B. Convine, slightly. 

u Lieutenant Carnet Posey, slightly. 

u Lieutenant J. P. Stockan, slightly. 

Kentucky cavalry . 

Killed .Adjutant E. M. Vaughn. 

Wounded . .One captain and three lieutenants, names not reported. 

Arkansas cavalry. 

Killed .Colonel Archibald Yell. 

u Captain Andrew R. Porter. 

Wounded. .Lieutenant Thomas A. Reader. 


Second regiment Kentucky foot. 

Killed .Colonel W. R. McKee. 

u Lieutenant Colonel Henry Clay, jr. 

u Captain J. W. Moss. 

“ Captain W. T. Willis. 

Wounded . .Lieutenant E. L. Barber, slightly. 
u Lieutenant W. S. Withers, severely. 

Lieutenant Thos. W. Napier, severely. 

Indiana Brigade. 

* 

Brigade staff". 

Wounded. .Brigadier General Joseph Lane, slightly. 

Second regiment Indiana foot. 


Killed.... 

.Captain T. B. Kinder. 

u 

Captain Wm. Walker. 

u 

Lieutenant Thos. C. Parr. 

Wounded. 

.Captain W. L. Sanderson, slightly, 

u 

Captain John Osborn, a 

u 

Lieutenant S. W. Cayce, u 

Lieutenant H. Pennington, u 

u 

. u 

Lieutenant David S. Lewis, u 

cc 

Lieutenant Joshua Moore, u 

a 

Lieutenant Justin Davis, u 

a 

Lieutenant J. A. Eperson, u 

Third regiment Indiana foot. 

Killed ... . 

.Captain James Taggart. 

Wounded. 

.Major W. A. Gorman, slightly. 

a 

Captain Jno. M. Sleep, u 









Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


307 


Illinois Brigade. 

First regiment Illinois foot. 

Killed .Colonel Jno. J. Hardin. 

“ Captain J. W. Zabriskie. 

Lieutenant Bryan H. Houghton. 
Wounded.. Lieutenant Jno. C. McConnell, slightly. 
Lieutenant Hezekiah Evans, u * 

Second regiment Illinois foot. 


Killed . 

u 

a 

<< 

u 

u 

u 

u 

u 

Wounded .. 
u 
a 
(( 
u 

(C 

(( 


Captain-Woodward. 

Lieutenant A. B. Rountree. 
Lieutenant Fletcher. 
Lieutenant Ferguson. 
Lieutenant .Robbins. 
Lieutenant T. Kelby. 
Lieutenant Bartleson. 
Lieutenant Atherton. 
Lieutenant Price. 

Captain Coffey. 

Captain Baker. 

Lieutenant Jno. A. Pickett. 
Lieutenant Engleman. 
Lieutenant Steel. 
Lieutenant West. 

Adjutant Whiteside. 


Company Texas volunteers attached to Illinois brigade. 


Killed. 

u 


..First Lieutenant Campbell. 

Second Lieutenant Leonhard. 

Wounded. .Captain Connor. 

W. W. S. BLISS, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 

Assistant Adjutant General’s Office, 

Army of Occupation , Saltillo , February 25, 1847. 


War Department, April 3, 1847. 

Sir: Your communications of the 24th and 25th of February, 
and the 1st of March, announcing the brilliant success of the troops 
under your command at Buena Yista, against the forces of the 
enemy^ vastly superior in numbers, have been laid before the 
President, and I am instructed to convey to you his high apprecia¬ 
tion of the distinguished services rendered to the country by your¬ 
self and the officers and soldiers of your command, on that occa- 
sion. 

The victory achieved at Buena Yista, while it adds new glory to 
■our arms, and furnishes new proofs of the valor and brave daring 





308 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


of our officers and soldiers, will excite the admiration, and call 
forth the gratitude, of the nation. 

The single fact that five thousand of our troops, nearly all volun¬ 
teers, who, yielding to the impulse of patriotism, had rallied to 
their country’s standard for a temporary service, were brought into 
conflict with an army of twenty thousand, mostly veteran soldiers, 
and not only withstood and repulsed the assaults of this numerous 
host—led by their most experienced general—but, in a protracted 
battle of two days, won a glorious victory, is the most indubitable 
evidence of the consummate skill and gallant conduct of our officers, 
and the devoted her >ism of the troops under their command. It 
will ever be a proud distinction to have been in the memorable 
battle of Buena Vista. 

The general joy which the intelligence of this success of our arms 
has spread through the land, is mingled with regret that it has been 
obtained at so great a price—that so many heroic men have fallen 
in that sanguinary conflict. They died in the intrepid discharge 
of a patriotic duty, and will be honored and lamented by a grateful 
nation. 

You will cause this communication to be published to the troops 
under your command. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient ser¬ 
vant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Zachary Taylor, U. S. army , 

Commanding , #c., Agua Nueva , Mexico. 


No. 19. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , March 6, [14] 1847. 

Sir : I have the honor to report that I changed my head-quarters 
to this place on the 9th instant, leaving Brigadier General Wool in 
command of the troops in front. I brought with me Lieutenant 
Colonel May’s squadron of dragoons, Captain Bragg’s battery, (of 
which the guns and carriages require renewal) the Kentucky horse 
and the Mississippi regiment. In the meantime, the 2d Ohio has 
moved forward and joined General Wool, leaving four companies 
under the major, at the Rinconada. The last advices from the front 
represent everything quiet. The Mexican army had halted at 
Matahaula, reduced some 7,000 men below the strength in ^hich it 
marched from that point against Saltillo. .Matahaula is the first 
point on its line of retreat where supplies can be obtained. 

In a communication from the head-quarters of Major General 
Scott, received since the action of Buena Vista, it is suggested, 
under the supposition that the Mexican army had been directed 
towards Vera Cruz, that I should manoeuvre offensively against San 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


309 


Luis Potosi; and, as the department might now expect the same 
thing, I wish to state, distinctly, that, even were my present force 
in a condition, in regard to supplies, materiel of artillery, cavalry 
and artillery horses, &c., to undertake such an operation, it would, 
in my judgment, be the height of imprudence to attempt it, with¬ 
out at least two or three thousand regular troops, and those of the 
veteran regiments which have seen service. 

I regret to say that the communication between this point and 
Camargo has been interrupted since the destruction of the train, on 
the 24th ultimo. A strong detachment of infantry marched down 
some days since, and to-morrow I shall despatch the Kentucky 
cavalry and a piece of artillery in the same direction. We are in 
hourly expectation of some arrival from Camargo. We have no 
intelligence of the arrival of any of the new volunteer regiments, 
and no dates from Washington later than the 1st of February. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. army , commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army^ 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 20. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , March 15, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully enclose, herewith, a plan of the battle of 
Buena Yista, prepared by Captain Linnard, topographical engineers, 
from surveys made under his directions by the officers of that corps. 
It could not be sent with the report, but will, it is hoped, reach 
your office as soon. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S . A ., commanding. 
The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


No. 21. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , March 20, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to report that, after the departure of Col¬ 
onel Marshall’s command on the 15th instant, I was advised that 
the enemy’s cavalry was in considerable force near Marin, on the 
Camargo road. I immediately marched, on the evening of the 15th, 
with a mixed command, and reached Marin early the next morning, 
where I joined Colonel Marshall. The enemy had been in his 





310 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


front, watching a train on its way from Camargo, which encamped 
at Ramas, 8 miles from Marin, the night previous, but retired on 
our approach, in the direction of Cadereita. After communicating 
with Colonel Curtis, commander of the escort, I despatched the 
train towards Monterey with a portion of the escort, and took up 
the march, with the remainder, in the direction taken by the ene¬ 
my. We reached Cadereita the following morning, the Mexican 
force retiring in the direction of Montemorelos. Not having a suf¬ 
ficient mounted force to pursue with any prospect of success, I re¬ 
turned to this place on the 18th instant. 

I regret to report that a train despatched hence on the 5th was 
attacked near Seralvo, some 40 or 50 w T agons destroyed, and several 
persons, volunteers and teamsters, were killed. I have, as yet, no 
official report of this unfortunate occurrence. • The command was 
relieved at Seralvo by Colonel Curtis, and, no doubt, reached Ca¬ 
margo safely with the remainder of the train. 

To secure properly our communication with the rear, will require 
large detachments, employing constantly two regiments, at least, 
so long as a force of cavalry infests this part of the country. I 
shall do all in my power to protect the convoys and keep open 
the communications. 

Of the new regiments of volunteers, only a part of the Virginia 
regiment have reported. The remainder is, doubtless, by this time, 
at Camargo. I learn, but not officially, that the 2d Mississippi re¬ 
giment, by some misapprehension, has gone to Tampico. Whether 
it will be sent back or retained by General Scott, as was done un¬ 
der similar circumstances with the South Carolina regiment, remains 
to be seen. The Massachusetts and North Carolina regiments had 
not arrived at the last advices. Of the Texas regiment, I am ad¬ 
vised that not more than four companies can be raised. They are 
probably by this time at Camargo. 

We have nothing very authentic from the interior. The Mexi¬ 
can army, when last heard of, was yet at Matehaula, and Santa 
Anna was said to be making every exertion to recruit it. He does 
not, at any rate, seem to be detaching in the direction of Vera 
Cruz, relying, perhaps, upon the defences, or upon the troops al¬ 
ready collected in that quarter. 

A report has reached us of the arrival of Brigadier General 
Kearny, with a considerable force, at Chihuahua. If such be the 
fact, and if General Kearny have orders to join me, it will be a 
most seasonable reinforcement; but I do not attach much credit to 
the rumor. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. */?., commanding . 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 22. 


311 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , March 20, 1847. 

Sir: I beg leave to invite the attention of the department to some 
grave considerations connected with the state of things in that 
quarter. In so doing, I can hardly doubt that they have already 
occurred to the mind of the secretary; but, I yet consider it my 
duty to bring them specifically to his notice. 

Thirteen regiments of volunteers, now serving on this line, will 
be entitled to their discharge in two or three months. A very small 
portion, if any, of these volunteers, will consent to serve for the 
war. To replace this force, we have so far, at most, four regi¬ 
ments of foot, and part of a regiment of horse. To what extent 
this force may be increased by enlistment in the new regular regi¬ 
ments, or by new volunteers yet to be called out, I have not the 
means of judging; but, looking to the past, it is not probable that 
it will be materially increased before the discharge of the old regi¬ 
ments. With this limited force, it will be physically impossible to 
hold the line we now occupy, and I respectfully submit to the de¬ 
partment.the advantage, and necessity, of issuing instructions to 
meet this case; for, if a new line is to be taken up while the enemy 
is in our front, it should be done before the discharge of so large a 
portion of our force. 

The 12 months volunteers are looking impatiently forward to the 
period of their discharge, and this fact causes me additional anxi¬ 
ety in regard to their replacement. 

Although my communications to the department for nearly six 
months have received no response, and I am discouraged from pre¬ 
senting my views, I yet feel bound, in the present instance, to do 
so, that a serious embarrassment may be provided against in due 
time. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. (7. 


War Department, May 6, 1847. 

Sir: Some time previous to the receipt of your letter of the 20th 
March, measures had been taken here to send forth to the seat of 
war troops to take the place of the volunteers whose term of ser¬ 
vice is limited to twelve months. Steps have also been taken, 
under authority of a recent act of Congress, to re-engage as many 
of these volunteers as could be induced to serve to the end of the 
war. Though very desirable to have them remain in service, it has 
at no time been supposed that the number which might be willing 
to do so would be large. The department has, therefore, looked 




312 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


to other sources for obtaining the requisite force to answer the 
exigencies of the public service. 

The adjutant general has been directed to send you a statement, 
carefully prepared by him, which will inform you of the number 
of troops, as nearly as can be ascertained here, now in Mexico and 
on the way there, and the destination given to them by orders from 
this department. It is expected that those under your immediate 
command, will be full ten thousand; and that though, for a season 
at least, you may lose by the change, yet the arrival of these new 
levies and volunteers for the war will fully supply the place of 
those who will soon be entitled to a discharge. 

In what particular manner this force, as well as the still larger 
one which will be under the immediate command of Major General 
Scott, shall be employed; how far the movements of the one column 
shall be with or without particular reference to the other, cannot 
now be determined here, and must, in a great measure, be left to 
the discretion and judgment of the general-in chief commanding in 
Mexico. Having indicated to you the force which has been as¬ 
signed to your command, the government desires your opinion as 
to the employment of it, under any probable contingencies, in the 
way most effective for the successful prosecution of the war. 

Herewith, I send you a copy of a letter of the 30th ultimo, ad¬ 
dressed to Major General Scott, relating to the subject above re¬ 
ferred to. In that communication, it will be observed that he is 
instructed to confer with you in regard to your operations, and to 
give such directions thereto as the exigencies of the public service 
may require. 

The official report of Colonel Doniphan, from Chihuahua, of the 
4th of March, detailing his operations in that quarter, has just 
come to hand. By this report, the gratifying intelligence is re¬ 
ceived that with less than one thousand men under his command, 
he achieved a signal victory over a Mexican force quadruple ill 
numbers, with a loss of only one man killed and ten wounded, 
while that of the enemy is stated to be about three hundred killed 
and the same number wounded. The effect of this action has been 
to disperse the enemy, and to place in our immediate possession 
the city and department of Chihuahua. But as the military occu¬ 
pation of that place is not now deemed important, in reference to 
the objects of the w T ar, (the position held by you being in advance 
of it,) and could not be kept up without increased means and ex¬ 
pense, and as the troops which now hold it in possession will soon 
be entitled to their discharge, the course you have pursued, in or¬ 
dering them to join the column under your command, meets with 
the approbation of the department. 

The adjutant general will communicate to you the views of the 
government, in regard to the course to be pursued in discharging 
the volunteers. It is certainly advisable that they should be kept 
together in their company or regimental organization, and sent to 
New Orleans, except such as may choose to re-engage for the war, 
and there be paid and finally discharged. General Scott has inti¬ 
mated his intention to retain those wfith him on the line of his opera- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


313 


tions until the end of the twelve months, regarding the time re¬ 
quired for the returning home* from the place of service not to be 
included in the term for which they engaged. Such is understood 
to have been established by former practice. If, however, those 
under your command should insist upon being taken to the place 
of discharge within the year for which they engaged to serve, it 
may not be advisable to resist their claim, especially, if there 
should be no pressing emergency for retaining them. 

I regret to learn, as I do from several of your communications, 
that in some instances there has been an extraordinary delay in 
the receipt of communications addressed to you from this depart¬ 
ment. With the more important of these, particularly that of the 25th 
of November, advising you that Major General Scott had been or¬ 
dered to the seat of war, unusual care was taken to insure its speedy 
and safe transmission. On inquiry at the office of the adjutant 
general, it does not appear that you have acknowledged the re¬ 
ceipt of it, and I am, therefore, apprehensive that it never reached 
you. I herewith send a copy, with an endorsement on it of the 
means taken to have it reach you expeditiously. Your communi¬ 
cation of the 3d of March,* addressed directly to me, has been re¬ 
ceived. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

Commanding U. S. army at Monterey , Mexico. 


No. 23. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , March 22, 1847. 

Sir : I deem it my duty to report, somewhat more in detail, the 
occurrences attending the interruption of our line of communica¬ 
tion with Camargo, and the service recently rendered by troops on 
that line. 

Pursuant to previous orders, issued before the advance of the 
enemy upon Saltillo, became known, the 2d Ohio regiment had 
occupied three posts on the line ; Colonel Morgan, with - com¬ 

panies, taking post at Seralvo, Lieutenant Colonel Irwin, with 

three at Marin, and Major Wall, with-at Punta Aguda. On 

the 21st of February, Colonel Morgan was ordered to concentrate 
his regiment and move forward to Monterey. The enemy had al¬ 
ready begun to infest the road, but Colonel Morgan, who had re¬ 
ceived the order on the night of the 23d, was able to bring up Major 
Wall’s command and march the next morning. 

On the road he was advised that a train on its way to Monterey, 
had been attacked that day, (24th,) near Ramas, and the escort and 


* Published, Doc. 37, 1st session, 30ih Congress. 






314 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


drivers, with a few exceptions, killed or made prisoners. On the 
morning of the 25th, Colonel Morgan was joined by twenty-five 
drivers and wagon masters, who had fled into the hills and es¬ 
caped the fate of their companions. At two o’clock he reached 
the scene ef the disaster, and found the bodies of forty or more 
drivers horribly mutilated, the wagons burning, and several bodies 
thrown into the flames. Finding no wounded, the march was con¬ 
tinued to Marin, which was found to be almost deserted. The 
enemy’s cavalry, under General Urrea, had been before Marin for 
two days, and several skirmishes had taken place between them 
and Lieutenant Colonel Irwin’s command. The arrival from Mon¬ 
terey of a reinforcement of infantry and two field pieces, under 
Major Shepherd, 1st Kentucky regiment, had caused the Mexicans 
to retire, and relieved Lieutenant Colonel Irwin, who knew 
nothing of Colonel Morgan’s approach. At Marin, it was ascer¬ 
tained that the escort of the train (30 men under Lieutenant Bar¬ 
bour, 1st Kentucky regiment) had been surrounded and captured. 

At 12 o’clock at night, Colonel Morgan resumed his march, and 
first met the enemy near Agua Fria. Forming his command in 
square, and marching in that order, he continued to San Francisco, 
having on the road several encounters with the enemy, who at¬ 
tempted, without success, to break his formation. From San 
Francisco, a messenger was despatched to Lieutenant Colonel 
Irwin, then encamped at this place, who promptly took up the 
march, and with two pieces of artillery joined Colonel Morgan, 
at 11 o’clock, a. m. The enemy, who had in the mean time con¬ 
tinued his attacks, now made a final effort, but after a sharp action 
of a few minutes, was driven back and retreated from the field. 

The loss of Colonel Morgan’s command in these affairs, was 
three Americans, and one friendly Mexican killed, one wagoner 
mortally, and one soldier slightly wounded. The enemy is sup¬ 
posed to have sustained a considerable loss, but from the nature of 
the engagement, its amount could not be ascertained. We have 
to lament the fall of Captain B. F. Graham , assistant quarter¬ 
master in the volunteer service, who was killed in the action after 
behaving in the most gallant manner. 

I would recommend to particular notice the gallant conduct and 
energy of Colonel Morgan throughout these operations. Lieu¬ 
tenant Colonel Irwin, Major Wall, and Adjutant Joline, 2d Ohio 
regiment, and Major Shepherd, are also entitled to notice for good 
conduct and valuable services. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General , U. S. Army , commanding . 

The Adju.tant General, 

of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 25. 


315 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , March 28, 1847. 

Sir : I have the honor to report that our communications with 
the rear are now measurably secure, no interruption having taking 
place since that reported on the 20th instant. A train arrived 
on the 24th, under escort of the 1st Indiana regiment, and another 
is daily expected. It is understood that the regular cavalry of 
Urrea has retired from this quarter across the mountains, a natural 
result of the retreat of the main army towards San Luis, and of 
our precautions to secure the trains. 

All is quiet at Saltillo, the troops are in good health, and the 
wounded rapidly recovering. The inhabitants,both there and here, 
are generally returning to their homes, and in the country are en¬ 
gaged planting their crops. 

It is certain that a revolution has broken out in Mexico, directed 
against the existing government, and that it was yet in progress 
on the 8th instant, Mexican papers of which date have reached 
Monterey. I respectfully enclose a copy of a proclamation issued 
by General Santa Anna, on the 14th instant, at San Luis Potosi, 
from which it appears that he was about leaving for the capitol to 
arrest the civil war, detaching, at the same time, a force in the 
direction of Yera Cruz. His army is understood to have fallen 
back on San Luis. 

I receive information that General Kearny with 1,300 men has 
entered Chihuahua, after some resistance, being opposed by 2,000. 
I know not what faith to place in this intelligence. 

Two companies of the North Carolina regiment had reached 
Brassos at the last advices; nothing yet heard of the Massachusetts 
regiment, or the rear companies of the Virginia. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General , U. S. Army , commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna , general de division, benemento de la 
patria, presidente interino de la republica, y general-en-gefe del 
ejercito del norte, a sus subordinados: 

Companeros! didecade enteramente al servicio de la patria, 
marchs a tomar las riendas del gobierno, haciendo con esto el mas 
costosc sacrificio; pues obro contra mi amor proprio y mis proposi 8 - 
tos: pero este paso hara cesar la guerra civil que destroza nuestra 
hermosa capital! dara unidad a nuestra defensa, y impulso a la 
lucha justisima que sustenenros contra los perfidos invasores y porla 
que habeis combatido con tanta bravura y decision en los campos 
de la Angostura. 

Mis Amigos! nunca olviderare vuestros hechos gloriosos en es 



316 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


campo de batalla, las penalidades del desierto que habeis arrostrado 
con heroica sufrimiento, a sobre todo que tuve el honor de man- 
daros. La nacion osdebe una recompensa y la recibireis muy 
pronto por mi conducto, aun que no es esto que os estemula, a com- 
portaros como degrios de la gran Mejico. 

Soldados! Lois la esparanza de la patria y sus mejoras defensores; 
debeis pues atender a todas partes e por eso dispongo que dos bri- 
gadas de infantaria y una del caballeria con sus baterias correspon- 
dientes, marchen a la defensia del estado de Vera Cruz, guardando 
esta frontera el resto del ejercito. Conducidos en todo como hasta 
aqui, y jamas demerezcais el nombre ilustre que habeis adquirido. 
Yoya procuraros cuanto oshace falta para que podeis consumar la 
grande obra que os esta encomendada, y estad seguros que en el 
peligro volvereis a ver a vuestro general. 

ANT. LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA. 

Cuartel General de San Luis Potosi, 

Marzo 14, de 1847. 


No. 26. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , April 3, 1847. 

Sir: I have duly received a copy of your communication dated 
January 23d, to L. B. Kinton, late captain in the 2d Ohio regiment, 
and your unofficial note of January 23d on the same subject. 
Captain Kinton has reported to his colonel; but as the vacancy 
caused by his discharge had been duly filled by an election, the 
case was referred to me, and I have felt bound, under all the cir¬ 
cumstances, to decline issuing any order to restore him to his com¬ 
mand. 

Upon reference to the files, it appears that Captain Kinton’s ap¬ 
plication for leave of absence reached my head-quarters on the 13th 
of December, as I was on the point of marching for Victoria, and 
by some inadvertence incident to the press of business, is supposed 
to have been mistaken for a resignation, and orders given ac¬ 
cordingly. Had Captain Kinton, before leaving the country, 
notified his colonel and my staff officer of this mistake, it would 
have been corrected at once, and no election held to supply his 
place; but in the absence of such correction, the usual course was 
taken and his vacancy filled. As I had authority at any rate to 
order discharges in such cases, and as the new incumbent was 
legally and in due form elected, I do not consider that I have any 
right to displace him. I have advised Colonel Morgan, however, 
that if any arrangement can be made within the regiment to meet 
the wishes of Captain Kinton, without detriment to the service or 
the rights of others, it will receive my sanction. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A n commanding. 

The Adjuatant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 27. 


317 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , April 4, 1847. 

Sir: I have the gratification to enclose several documents this 
day received by express from Chihuahua. Although the original of 
Colonel Doniphan’s report, detailing the decisive victory achieved 
by the gallantry of our troops at the Sacramento, and the subse¬ 
quent occupation of Chihuahua, may reach your office before this 
despatch, I deem it best to enclose it, to meet the case of failure 
on the other route. 

The copy of Colonel Doniphan’s letter to Brigadier General 
Wool, of March 20, will inform you of the state of his command 
and the embarrassment he feels in his position. As Chihuahua 
can, at any rate, be occupied but a very short time by Colonel 
Doniphan’s force, which is moreover suffering for want of pay and 
many supplies, I shall order it at once to join General Wool at 
Saltillo, where its wants can be supplied, and from which point, at 
the proper time, it can readily march to Brassos and embark for 
New Orleans for discharge. It will thus be saved many hundred 
miles of marching. I am induced to believe that his column is 
already on its march from Chihuahua. The traders will have their 
election to remain in Chihuahua, or come under protection of the 
column to Saltillo. 

The term of service of the 1st Kentucky regiment will expire on 
on the 17th of May, a month earlier than that of most of the vol¬ 
unteer regiments. I have commenced moving it towards the Bras¬ 
sos, that it may embark in time to be mustered out in New Orleans 
at the end of its service. 

Of the new volunteer regiments, the North Carolina, or a por¬ 
tion of it, has arrived at Matamoras. But three companies have 
reported from Texas. 

We have nothing of an authentic character from the interior of 
Mexico since General Santa Anna’s proclamation of March 14, for¬ 
warded on the 28th ultimo. It is rumored that General Urrea, 
whose head-quarters are about Linares, has been reinforced, but it 
wants confirmation. By means of the new companies from Texas, 
I hope soon to be better advised of his position and movements. 
Our reconnoissances are pushed as far as Encarnacion, on the San 
Luis route. Everything is quiet in that quarter. 

The last two arrivals have brought nothing official from the Uni¬ 
ted States. Our last date from your office is February 16, though 
we have news from Washington down to the adjournment of Con¬ 
gress. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


318 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Head-quarters of the Army in Chihuahua, 
City of Chihuahua , March 20, 1847. 

Sir: The forces under my command are a portion of the Mis¬ 
souri volunteers, called into service for the purpose of invading 
New Mexico, under the command of Brigadier General (then Colo¬ 
nel) Kearny. After the conquest of New Mexico, and before Gen¬ 
eral Kearny’s departure for California, information was received 
that another regiment and an extra battalion of Missouri volunteers 
would follow us to Santa Fe. The service of so large a force being 
wholly unnecessary in that State, I prevailed on General Kearny 
to order my regiment to report to you at this city. The order was 
given on the 23d September, 1846; but after the general arrived at 
La Joya, in the southern part of the State, he issued an order re¬ 
quiring my regiment to make a campaign into the country inhabited 
by the Navajo Indians, lying between the waters of the Rio del 
Norte and the Rio Colorado of the west. This campaign detained 
me until the 14th of December, before our return to the Del Norte. 
We immediately commenced our march for El Paso del Norte with 
about 800 riflemen. All communication between Chihuahua and 
New Mexico was entirely prevented. On the 25th of December, 
1846, my van guard was attacked at Brazito by the Mexican forces 
from this State; our force was about 450, and the force of the ene¬ 
my 1,100; the engagement lasted about forty minutes, when the 
enemy fled, leaving 63 killed and since dead, 150 wounded, and 
one howitzer, the only piece of artillery in the engagement on 
either side. On the 29th we entered El Paso without further op¬ 
position. From the prisoners and others I learned that you had 
not marched upon this State. I then determined to order a battery 
and 100 artillerists from New Mexico. They arrived in El Paso 
about the 5th February, when we took up the line of march for this 
place. A copy of my official report of the battle of Sacramento, 
enclosed to you, will show you all our subsequent movements, up 
to our taking military possession of this capital. The day of my 
arrival I had determined to send an express to you forthwith; but 
the whole intermediate country was in the hands of the enemy, and 
we were cut off, and had been for many months, from all informa¬ 
tion respecting the American army. Mexican reports are never to 
be fully credited; yet, from all we could learn, we did not doubt 
that you would be forced by overwhelming numbers to abandon 
Saltillo, and of course we could send no express under such cir¬ 
cumstances. On yesterday we received the first even tolerably 
reliable information that a battle had been fought near Saltillo be¬ 
tween the American and Mexican forces, and that Santa Anna had 
probably fallen back on San Luis de Potosi. 

My.position here is exceedingly embarrassing. In the first place, 
most of the men under my command have been in the service since 
the 1st of June, and have never received one cent of pay. Their 
inarches have been hard, especially in the Navajo country, and 
no forage; so that they are literally without horses, clothes, or 
money—nothing but arms and a disposition to use them. They are 
all volunteers, officers and men, and, although ready for any hard- 


Ex. Doc. JNTo. 56. 


319 


ships or danger, are wholly unfit to garrison a town or city. u It is 
confusion worse confounded.” Haying performed a march of more 
than 2,000 miles, and their term of service rapidly expiring, they 
are restless to join the army under your command. Still we cannot 
leave this point safely for some days; the American merchants here 
oppose it violently, and have several hundred thousand dollars at 
stake. They have sent me a memorial, and my determination has been 
made known to them. A copy of both they will send you. Ofonething 
it is necessary to inform you; the merchants admit that their goods 
could not be sold here in five years; if they go south they will be 
as near to the markets of Durango and Zacatecas as they now are. 
I am apxious and willing to protect the merchants as far as practi¬ 
cable; but I protest against remaining here as a mere wagon guard, 
garrison a city with troops wholly unfitted for it, and who will soon 
be wholly ruined by improper indulgences. Having been original¬ 
ly ordered to this point, you know th^, wishes of the government 
in relation to it, and of course your orders will be promptly and 
cheerfully obeyed. I fear there is ample use for us with you, and 
we would greatly prefer joining you before our term of service ex¬ 
pires. 

All information relative to my previous operations, present con¬ 
dition, &c., will be given you by Mr. J. Collins, the beater of these 
despatches. He is a highly honorable gentlemen, and was an ama¬ 
teur soldier at Sacramento. 

The Mexicans report your late battle as having been entirely fa¬ 
vorable to themselves; but, taking it for granted they .never report 
the truth, we have fired a salute for our victory in honor of your¬ 
self and General Taylor, presuming, from report, you were both 
present. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

A. W. DONIPHAN, 

Commanding 1st Reg. Missouri Volunteers . 

Should the horses or mules of those bearing this express fail, or 
prove unfit to return upon, I have to request that they may be sup¬ 
plied by the government with the proper means of returning. 

A. W. DONIPHAN, 
Colonel 1st Reg . Missouri Volunteers. 

Brig. Gen. Wool, U. S. A. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , April 11, 1847. 

Sir: Sinc&my despatch of the 4th instant, nothing has occurred 
worthy of note in this quarter. No mail has arrived from the 
United States, and we have nothing from the interior upon which 
we can fully rely. It is reported that General Santa Anna has 
been proclaimed dictator by a part of the army, and that our troops 
have advanced as far as the Puente Nacional and even Jalapa. I 



320 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

do not deem it worth while to repeat the many rumors which reach 
us. 

By the orders sent in this mail, you will learn the measures taken 
to muster out of service the 1st regiment Kentucky volunteers. I 
cannot doubt that orders will be given from the department for the 
discharge of the great body of the 12 months regiments. I have 
selected New Orleans for the place of discharge of the regiment in 
question, it being much more economical to the government to dis¬ 
charge it there than in the field- 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding . 

The Adjutant General of the Army. 


No. 32. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , April 20, 1847. 

Sir: I have respectfully to acknowledge your communications of 
February 26th and 27th, the former relative to officers on the sick 
list, who may be able to perform light duty, such as recruiting; the 
latter announcing that a detachment of recruits had been sent out 
for the companies of artillery. 

Captain Steen, Captain Eustis, and Brevet First Lieutenant Pleas¬ 
anton, of the 1st dragoons, have recently left for the United States, 
and will, probably, be able to render service in the way proposed. 
First Lieutenant French, 3rd artillery, disabled by a severe wound 
received at Buena Yista, is now able to travel,and I have ordered 
him to report to you for such duty as he can perform. 

While on this subject, I would respectfully call your attention 
to the great scarcity of regular officers in some of the companies 
serving on this line, particularly in the arm of artillery, which it 
is so important to keep up to the establishment. The recent ap¬ 
pointments and promotions take from the battery of the 4th artil¬ 
lery (late Washington’s) absolutely every officer on duty with it, 
viz: Major Washington, Captains O’Brien and Brent, and Lieuten¬ 
ants Whiting and Couch. Both of Major Webster’s subalterns and 
one of Captain Prentiss’s are likewise removed from their companies, 
while Major Bragg, who has at no time had more than two subal¬ 
terns, loses both. Under these circumstances, I have deemed it 
necessary to retain on duty, with their companies, until their places 
can be filled, all the officers thus removed, whether dragoons or 
artillery, except Major Washington and Captain Donaldson, the 
services of the latter being greatly required in the quartermaster’s 
department. The paramount necessity of this course will be seen, 
when it is remembered that I have no means of replacing, even 
temporarily, artillery officers, who may be withdrawn from their 
companies. 

The recruits under Lieutenant Potter have arrived. You will see 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


321 


by my orders, that I have assigned them all to the three field bat¬ 
teries, (C and E 3rd, and B 4th,) a detachment having been sent 
to the 1st artillery by the orders of Major General Scott. Not¬ 
withstanding this assignment, two of the light companies are still 
below the establishment and short of the necessary strength to 
man six pieces in the field. The companies of artillery at fort 
Brown and Camargo (Merchant’s 2nd and Hunt’s 4th) are of res¬ 
pectable strength, but those at Point Isabel and Brassos island 
(Scott’s 4th and Capron’s 1st) are very weak. The latter, par¬ 
ticularly, is quite unequal to the duty of guarding the depots at 
Brassos and the mouth of the river. I would respectfully recom¬ 
mend that 40 recruits be sent to each of these companies. 

The arrival of recruits for the artillery companies enables me to 
send to their proper regiment the 3rd infantry recruits temporarily 
attached to the field batteries. I shall employ Lieutenant Potter 
to conduct these recruits to their regiment, together with all other 
men in this quarter belonging to General Scott’s column. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding „ 
The Adjutant General, 

of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


No. 33. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , April 21, 1847. 

Sir: Since my despatch of April 11th, Major Chevallie has 
reached this place with a part of his command, the remainder being 
detached with a train now on its way up, via China. Agreeably 
to my orders, Major Chevallie has explored the country between 
China and Montemorelos, and has ascertained satisfactorily that 
General Urrea has left that region and has probably recrossed the 
mountains. The communications are now infested only by bands 
of robbers, which are v-ery numerous in this country. Our escorts 
can thus be reduced much below the strength which it has hitherto 
been necessary to employ. 

I learn that Colonel Doniphan is probably by this time at Parras 
on his way from Chihuahua to Saltillo, having anticipated my orders 
to march on the latter place. 

You will perceive from my orders that we have received authentic 
intelligence of the fall of Vera Cruz. Our latest date from the 
city of Mexico is March 31st, on which day General Santa Anna 
issued an address or appeal to the Mexican people. I do not en¬ 
close it, presuming that it will reach you much sooner by Yera 
Cruz or Tampico. 

It is represented by a person who has just arrived from San Luis 
that not more than one-half of General Santa Anna’s original force 
was saved in the retreat after the battle of Buena Vista, and that 
21 



322 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


his march is indicated by the dead strewed along the road for 60 
leagues. Nearly all the troops have been withdrawn from San Luis 
and the adjacent positions. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major Gen. U. S , A ., Com. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


No. 34. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , April 25, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully transmit herewith the return of regular troops 
erving with this army for the month of January. 

I have to acknowledge your communication of March 12th, copy 
of your communication to Brigadier General Cadwalader, of March 
20th, and of circulars to the colonels of the ten new regiments, 
dated March 17th, 20th, and 22d. 

Nothing worthy of report has occurred in this quarter since the 
date of my last despatch. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major Gen. U. S. A ., Com. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


No. 36. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , May 2, 1847. 

Sir: I avail myself of the mail about leaving, to say that nothing 
worthy of report has occurred since my last despatch, unless it be 
the arrival of a German merchant from Mazatlan, who brings re¬ 
cent intelligence from California, to the effect that there had been 
a great deal of fighting in that territory, but no general action; 
that Lieutenant Colonel Fremont, just before the arrival of Gene¬ 
ral Kearny, had been compelled to enter into a capitulation, but 
that quiet was restored when this German left California, in Feb¬ 
ruary. He further says, that the Americans had lost many officers 
in the various combats. Commodore Biddle had arrived on the 
coast. I report very briefly the information brought from Mazat¬ 
lan, thinking it just possible that it may reach you sooner than by 
any other route. 

I am very anxiously waiting instructions communicating the 
wishes of the government in regard to this line. Unless 1 receive 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


323 




advices before the 15th instant, the approaching discharge of the 
twelve months’ volunteers will compel me, by that date, to com¬ 
mence the withdrawal of stores from Saltillo, preparatory to the 
evacuation of that city. I trust that my communication, of the 
20th of March, involving questions of the highest importance to 
the public service, will not remain unanswered. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major Gen. U. 8. A., Com. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


Orders, ) Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

No. 46. ^ Camp near Monterey , May 6, 1847. 

Under the instructions of the Secretary of War, the commanding 
general has the gratification to publish to the troops of his com¬ 
mand the following communication, received by him from the War 
Department: 

“ War Department, 

April 3, 1847. 

“Sir: Your communications of the 24th and 25th of February, and 
the 1st of March, announcing the brilliant success of the troops 
under your command at Buena Yista, against the forces of the ene¬ 
my, vastly superior in numbers, have been laid before the President, 
and I am instructed to convey to you his high appreciation of the 
distinguished services rendered to the country, by yourself and the 
officers and soldiers of your command on that occasion. 

“The victory achieved at Buena Yista, while it adds new glory 
to our arms, and furnishes new proofs of the valor and brave dar¬ 
ing of our officers and soldiers, will excite the admiration and call 
forth the gratitude of the nation. 

“The single fact that five thousand of our troops, nearly all vo¬ 
lunteers, who, yielding to the impulse of patriotism, had rallied to 
their country’s standard for a temporary service, were brought into 
conflict with an army of twenty thousand, mostly veteran soldiers, 
and not only withstood and repulsed the assaults of this numerous 
host, led by their most experienced general, but, in a protracted 
battle of two days, won a glorious victory, is the most indubitable 
evidence of the consummate skill and gallant conduct of our offi¬ 
cers, and the devoted heroism of the troops under their command. 
It will ever be a proud distinction to have been in the memorable 
battle of Buena Vista. 

“The general joy which the intelligence of this success of our 
arms has spread through the land, is mingled with regret that it has 
been obtained at so great a price, that so many heroic men have 
fallen in that sanguinary conflict. They died in the intrepid dis¬ 
charge of a patriotic duty, and will be honored and lamented by a 
grateful nation. 



324 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


“You will cause this communication to be published to the troops 
under your command. 

“I have the honor to he, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

“W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War” 


By order of Major General Taylor. 

W. W. S. BLISS, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 


Orders, ? Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

No. 47. J Camp near Monterey , May 8, 1847. 

The commanding general has the satisfaction of announcing to 
the troops of his command, another decisive victory, achieved by 
the American forces under Major General Scott, on the 18th of 
April, at Cerro Gordo, in the State of Yera Cruz. The Mexican 
army, under the immediate orders of General Santa Anna, Presi¬ 
dent of the republic, is known to have been entirely routed, with 
the loss of all its artillery and munitions of war. 

The army of occupation will hail with joy this brilliant success 
of the American army. 

By order of Major General Taylor. 

YV. W. S. BLISS, 
Assistant Adjutant General . 


No. 37. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , May 9, 1847*. 

Sir: The time for the discharge of the twelve months’ volunteers 
is now drawing so near that I am under the necessity, without wait¬ 
ing for further instructions from the department, of taking mea¬ 
sures for their muster and discharge. Orders have already been 
given for the three Kentucky regiments, and the 1st Mississippi re¬ 
giment, to proceed to the mouth of the river for embarcation to 
New Orleans. 

I have chosen New Orleans as the place of discharge and pay¬ 
ment, for three reasons; first, it is more economical to the govern¬ 
ment to discharge the volunteers at that point than in the field; se¬ 
condly, it is much more convenient to pay them there, and thirdly, 
it is very doubtful whether a sufficient amount of funds wil be this, 
side of New Orleans, for their final payment in this country. These 
reasons seem conclusive to me, and unless otherwise instructed, I 
shall despatch the remaining twelve months’ volunteers in like man¬ 
ner to New Orleans for discharge and payment. 

Colonel Churchill will be ordered to New Orleans to muster out 






Ex. Doc, No. 56. 


325 


the volunteers, and as his duties will be extremely arduous, I have 
to request that one or more competent officers will be detailed to 
assist him. 

I am this day advised, for the -first time, that by a decision of the 
Secretary of War, the original enrolments and musters, made by 
State officers, are to govern in settling the accounts, and conse¬ 
quently in fixing the term of service of the twelve months’ volun¬ 
teers. This renders it still more urgent to take immediate measures 
for their final muster and discharge. 

A very small number, if any, of the twelve months’ volunteers 
serving on this line, will be willing to accept service for the war. 
It is just probable that a few detached companies may he found, 
but even that I think quite doubtful. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding . 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 38. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

# Camp near Monterey , May 9, 1847. 

Sir : In anticipation of the discharge of the 12 months’ volun¬ 
teers, orders have already been given to put several of the regi¬ 
ments in motion for the mouth of the Rio Grande. Others must 
soon follow, and all the foot regiments here and in front of Saltillo, 
will, in a very short time, be on their way to the United States. 

To replace the infantry volunteer force at Saltillo and Buena 
Yista, now seven regiments, I shall employ three of the volunteer 
regiments for the war, viz: Virginia, North Carolina, and 2nd Mis¬ 
sissippi. In the present aspect of affairs, I consider that force suf- 
‘ficient to hold Saltillo, at any rate, until it shall be determined 
whether a forward movement will be made from that point. I shall 
divide the Massachusetts regiment between Monterey and Cerralvo, 
placing the head-quarters and six companies in the former city. 
Major Chevallie’s battalion of mounted men, as yet but three com¬ 
panies, will be employed where most needed, and will, perhaps, 
ultimately be sent forward to relieve the Arkansas horse. 

To enable me to make the above arrangement, and thus continue 
to hold Saltillo, I am obliged to draw from Brigadier General Cad- 
walader two of the regiments of his command, posting one at 
Matamoras and one at Camargo. I am unwilling to bring forward 
any of those regiments from the Rio Grande, until I shall learn the 
wishes of the department in regard to operations here, and the 
amount of that force, if any, that will be placed under my orders. 
The condition of the country between Saltillo and San Luis Potosi, 



326 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


in regard to water and grass, forbids any forward movement at this 
time, even had we the proper force. 

Authentic information of the battle of Cerro Gordo reached my 
head-quarters yesterday, in the official report of General Canalizo. 
There is nothing else of interest from the interior. 

I have to acknowledge the communication of the Secretary of 
War of April 3rd, which has been duly published in orders; your 
letter of the same date; copies of your letters to Brigadier General 
Cadwalader, of March 27th; to Colonel Davenport, of March 24th; to 
Lieutenant Colonel Talcott, of March 26th; and Assistant Surgeon 
Dorris, of March 25th; recruiting circular, of March 24th; “general 
orders,” Nos. 12 to 15 inclusive, and “special orders,” Nos. 3 and 10. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding . 

The Adjutant General, 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


No. 39. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , May 15, 1847. 

Sir : “ Orders,” No. 51^sent by this mail, will advise you of the 
final arrangementsfor discharging the 12 months’ volunteers, serving 
on this line. It embraces all the force under my orders for that 
term of service, except a company of Texas foot volunteers at 
Buena Vista, a company of Texas mounted volunteers, stationed at 
Larredo, and Colonel Doniphan’s command, now at hand. 

Colonel Churchill is now here, and will leave to-morrow for New 
Orleans, to enter upon the duty of discharging the regiments, now 
under orders, from this line. The staff officers appointed by the 
President, and now attached to those regiments, have been directed 
to report from New Orleans to the chiefs of their departments in 
Washington, and at the suggestion of Colonel Churchill, I have 
to request that such instructions may be forwarded under cover to 
him in that city. 

The advance of Colonel Doniphan’s column was at Parras, on 
the 11th instant, and the entire command will soon be at Saltillo. 
Orders will, in due time, be given for its muster and discharge in 
New Orleans. 

I have no advices from General Scott later than the 24th of April, 
nor do I learn anything worthy of report from the interior. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General , U. S. Army , commanding . 

The Adjutant General, 

Of the Army , Washington, D. C. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 40. 


327 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , May 16, 1847. 

Sir: I have respectfully to acknowledge your communications of 
April 8th, 9th, and 17th; copies of your letters to Major General 
Scott, of April 15th; to Brigadier General Cadwalader, of April 
18th; and to Colonel Stanton, of April 15th; and “general orders, 55 
Nos. 16 and 17. 

In reply to your communication of April 9th, relative to Major 
Caldwell, of the voltigeurs, I have to report that the major left this 
place, the 14th of March, under instructions from Colonel Whiting, 
chief of the quartermaster’s department, to purchase horses in the 
United States. His address is not known. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General , U. S. Army , commanding. 

The Adjutant General, 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


[Confidential.] 

War Department, 
Washington) April 17, 1847. 

Sir: I herewith transmit to you for your information the copy 
of a confidential letter to Major General Scott. Should there be a 
suspension of hostilities under the circumstances contemplated, it 
will doubtless be general and embrace your command. In relation 
to holding your position, &c., you will regard the instructions to 
him as alike applicable to yourself. 

I have the honor to-be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY. 

Major General Taylor. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , May 16, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully acknowledge the receipt, on the 14th instant, 
of your confidential communication of April 17th, covering a copy 
of the instructions to Major General Scott, dated April 14th. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A. y corn’g. 

Hon. W. L. MarCy, 

Secretary of War , Washington , D. C. 




328 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 41. 


Head quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , May 23, 1847 

Sir: I respectfully transmit, herewith, a translation of a letter, 
received on the 18th instant, from General Mora y Villamil, com¬ 
manding at San Luis Potosi, and a copy of my reply. 

Anxious, as I have always been, to avoid unpleasant relations 
with the Mexican authorities, yet the extraordinary character of 
the communication in question has seemed to demand at my hands 
a summary treatment, which will, I trust, receive the approval, of 
the department. 

I have on former occasions alluded to depredations and outrages 
committed by the troops of this column. With every disposition 
to prevent their occurrence, and the employment of every means in 
my power to that end, the undisciplined character of a large por¬ 
tion of the force has led to the commission of many petty depre¬ 
dations and occasional acts of violence towards the Mexicans. 
With scarcely an exception, and with none in the latter class of 
offences, these have been confined to the volunteer troops. 

The irregularities, however, were only occasional, and very 
limited in extent, until the 10th of February, when a party from 
the regiment of Arkansas cavalry, exasperated by the murder of 
one of their regiment, left their camp at Agua Nueva, and attacked 
a number of unarmed Mexicans at Catana, two or three miles dis¬ 
tant, killing and wounding several persons, without regard to age 
or sex. The most diligent means were employed, without effect, to 
discover the authors of this outrage. I will forward, by another 
mail, the proceedings of a military commission and other papers re¬ 
lating to this subject. 

On the 24th of February, one of our trains, as already reported, 
was attacked between Ramos and Marin, and a great number of the 
drivers inhumanly murdered. On the 28th *of March, a party 
composed, as I have reason to believe, of Texas rangers, teamsters 
and other persons, not soldiers, left a train near the above place, 
and in a village, some eight miles distant, put to death twenty-four 
men. Yet I could not, by possibility, ascertain what individuals 
were concerned in this atrocious massacre. The Mexicans, who 
were present, were invited to come forward and identify the delin¬ 
quents, but failed to make their appearance, being, doubtless, afraid 
that they might incur a similar fate. 

It has been my intention to report the above affairs to the depart¬ 
ment, but the hope still of detecting the actors in the latter has 
hitherto prevented me. I deem this a proper occasion to refer to 
them as the most prominent instances w r hich have occurred, and 
which are therefore mentioned in the letter of General Villamil. 
While no one can regret their occurrence more than I do, yet I 
have not to reproach myself with the omission of any precaution 
to prevent them. Without a sufficient regular force even to guard 
our magazines and depots, I have found it entirely impossible to 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 329 

enforce, in all cases, the repeated orders which have been given 
against marauding and other irregularities. 

In regard to that portion of General Villamil’s letter which re¬ 
fers to an indemnity exacted from the people, the enclosed copy of 
a proclamation, issued by me, will explain itself. I have only to 
add that the apportionment was made in good faith among the peo¬ 
ple of New Leon, but that, on the petition of their representatives, 
I have consented to suspend the collection of the dues, letting the 
final decision depend upon the conduct of the people. I have rea¬ 
son to believe that this course has produced a salutary effect. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A., com’g* 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington, D. C. 


[Translation.] 

Army of the North, ) Head-quarters at San Luis Potosi, 

General-in-chief. $ May 10, 1847. 

His excellency the President substitute, who is not indifferent to 
the evils suffered by pacific and unarmed men, in consequence of 
the unhappy war which the nation finds itself obliged to repel, in 
the exercise of its rights, and to sustain its dignity, its decorum, its 
independence and the integrity of its territory, is not less sensible 
to the fact that the towns and their inoffensive inhabitants suffer de¬ 
vastation, ruin, conflagration, death and other depredations of sim¬ 
ilar character, which have been permitted on their occupation, by 
some of the troops under your command, whose conduct, at the 
present time, is not only opposed to the law of nations, in view of 
its unhappy effects, but is contrary to the usages and practices es¬ 
tablished by common consent among all civilized countries. You 
are not ignorant that such practice rejects as an unprofitable bar¬ 
barism all harm committed without an object; you likewise know 
that in a w T ar like the present, the governments which carry it on 
can never permit or tolerate the indulgence of the troops in every 
species of excess, because such conduct, besides enfeebling the best 
of causes, discredits the governments, demoralizes the people, mul¬ 
tiplies the calamitous horrors of war, making it in its nature atro¬ 
cious, and, above all, authorizes the always melancholy right of 
reprisals. 

It does not belong to the undersigned, general-in-chief of the 
army,’ at this time to exhibit to the world the unjust nature of the 
aggression; but only to diminish and cause to be diminished, as far 
as possible, the sad consequences suffered by the pacific people of 
Mexico, from the war waged by the government which you obey. 
For this noble end, I have very precise and definite orders from his 
excellency the President substitute of the republic, who has in¬ 
structed me to address you, in order that you may state, categori- 




330 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


cally, in reply, “whether your will and your instructions are to 
make war conformably to the law of nations, and as it is prosecu¬ 
ted by civilized countries, or indeed as it is waged by savage tribes 
between each other; it being understood that Mexico is disposed 
and resolved to accept it, such as it may be proposed and waged; 
and that he awaits the result in order to prescribe the consequent 
measures. ” 

The Mexican nation, in sustaining its dearest rights, its honor, its 
integrity, its respect, does not avoid war, whatever may be its na¬ 
ture, and the greater or less character of ferocity and fury with 
which it may be prosecuted by the hostile cabinet; and it has, 
in consequence, an indisputable authority to require from the 
chief of the enemy’s army explanations as to'the manner in which 
it is proposed to carry it on, in order, thereupon, to regulate 
its future conduct. Until this time, you have seen that the Mexi¬ 
can government, in its self-defence, has shown itself humane, feel¬ 
ing, civilized; and, on its part, has sought, so far as its control ex¬ 
tends, and within the limits of its power, to avoid that ferocity, 
that fury, proper only to the nomadic tribes of its frontiers. It has 
committed no injury without use and without object, and only 
in an extreme case. But when it observes, with astonishment 
and regret, that the treacherous assassinations of Agua Nueva, Ca- 
tana and Marin have not been the only ones, and that an 
unexpected continuation seems to give or concede authority for the 
commission of the like; when the ruin, devastation and conflagra¬ 
tion of towns mark every where the march of the invading army; 
and when, finally, it observes, with no small surprise, that you con¬ 
sider yourself authorized to impose burdens upon the defenceless 
people, as an indemnity for injuries caused by Mexican troops, in 
repelling the war which your government has brought upon Mexico, 
you can do no less than admit that the supreme government of the 
nation may properly require of you, as it now does through me, 
the most definitive explanations in regard to your future conduct, 
with the view of thereby regulating its own, and that it may know 
what to depend upon. I repeat to you that Mexico accepts the war 
with the character in which it may be presented; for she is decided 
rather to cease to exist than to subscribe a peace of oprobrium and 
and ignominy; but in the straightened condition to which circum¬ 
stances reduce her, she requires a rule to observe, and this will be 
given by your explanations and the conduct of the troops of your 
command. If this be well regulated, Mexico will pursue the same 
course; but if, contrary to her hopes and desires, depredations and 
injuries to the people shall continue uselessly and without object, 
then the Mexican republic will make war in the same manner; and 
such war, with its consequences, will, in the judgment of the civil¬ 
ized world, which observes and judges us, fall upon the nation 
which provoked, initiated and continues it, in a manner repugnant 
to humanity and opposed by civilization. 

I yet flatter myself with the hope that these excesses of your 
troops,, against which the humanity and civilization of the present 
age lift their voice, have not reached your knowledge; and I like- 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


331 


wise expect that, learning them through my instrumentality, you 
will, with all your authority, oppose an energetic and efficacious 
corrective to this torrent of calamities without object. 

In communicating this to you, in discharge of my duty and in 
fulfilment of my supreme orders, I have, at the same time, the hon¬ 
orable satisfaction of protesting to you my consideration. 

God and liberty! 

IGNACIO DE MORA Y VILLAMIL. 

Sr. Don Zacarias Taylor, 

Major General of the army of the U. S. of North America. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , May 19, 1847. 

Sir: I received yesterday your communication of the 10th inst., 
iu which you inform me that you are instructed by the president 
(substitute) of the republic to address me, in order that I may say, 
categorically, in reply, 61 whether my will and my instructions are 
to wage war conformably to the law of nations, and as it is waged 
by civilized countries; or, indeed, as savage tribes carry it on 
between each other, it being understood that Mexico is disposed 
and resolved to accept it, such as it may be proposed and waged; 
and that he awaits the result in order to prescribe the consequent 
measures.” 

Were it not that these instructions are communicated by such 
highly respectable authority as yourself, I should be slow to believe 
that they had ever emanated from the chief magistrate of the re¬ 
public, containing, as they do in my judgment, an implied, but not 
the less deliberate, insult to me and the government which I have 
here the honor to represent. Viewing them in this light, I must 
decline giving the categorical answer required, which I do with all 
proper respect for his excellency the president. 

But as you have thought proper, in communicating the instruc¬ 
tions of your government, to address me somewhat at length on 
the manner in which the war has been prosecuted on my part, I 
embrace this opportunity to make a few remarks on that subject. 

The outrages to which you have specifically referred became 
known to me soon after their occurrence, and I can assure you that 
neither yourself nor the president of the republic could have felt 
deeper regret than my&elf on those occasions. Every means in my 
power, within the operation of our laws, were employed, but in 
most cases in vain, to identify and punish the delinquents. I can¬ 
not suppose you so badly informed as to believe that such atroci¬ 
ties were committed with my connivance or consent, or that they 
furnish a fair example of the mode in which the war has been con¬ 
ducted in this part of Mexico. They were in truth unfortunate 
exceptions, caused by circumstances beyond my control. 

It is proper to inform you that, from the moment the American 
army first entered the territory of Mexico, it has sustained losses of 




332 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


individual officers and soldiers, who have been murdered by Mexi¬ 
cans, sometimes almost within sight of its own camp. An outrage 
of this kind preceded the melancholy affair at Catana. I do not 
recall these facts for the purpose of justifying, in any degree, the 
practice of retaliation, for my government is at any rate civilized 
enough to draw the distinction between the lowest acts of indi¬ 
viduals and the general policy which governs the operations of an 
army; but you have chosen to institute a comparison between our 
respective governments in their mode of waging war, which cannot 
pass unnoticed. In this connexion let it be remembered that Mexi¬ 
can troops have given to the world the example of killing wounded 
men upon the field of battle. 

As you have adverted to the call upon the people of these States 
to make good the losses sustained by the destruction of one of our 
convoys, I beg leave to inform you that that achievement was not 
confined to Mexican troops } but was largely shared by the rancheros 
of the country; and that, in the murder and subsequent mutilation 
of unarmed drivers, it was marked by an. atrocious barbarism un¬ 
precedented in the existing war. 

It is with no little pain that I find myself under the necessity of 
addressing you in a style which I am seldom obliged to adopt, but 
which is fully provoked by the matter and manner of your commu¬ 
nication,' objectionable, as I conceive it to be, both in its insinu¬ 
ations and its tone. In regard to the implied threat of reprisals, I 
beg you to understand that I hold it at its just value, and that I am 
at all times prepared to meet suitably any policy or any mode of 
warfare which the Mexican government or its generals may see fit 
to adopt. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General United States Army , commanding . 

Senor General D. Ignacio Mora y Yillamil, 

Commanding Army of the north , San Luis Potosi. 


Head-quarters, near Monterey, 

March 22, 1847. 

The general-in-chief of the American forces to the inhabitants of 
Tamaulipas, Nueva Leon, and Coahuila: 

When the American troops first crossed the frontier and entered 
the above States, it was with the intention, as publicly declared to 
you, of making war, not upon the peaceful citizens of the soil, but 
upon the central government of the republic, with a view to obtain 
an early and honorable peace. 

The undersigned was authorized by his government to levy con¬ 
tributions upon the people for the support of his army, but unwil¬ 
ling to throw the heavy burden of the war upon those who, with 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


333 


few exceptions, had manifested a neutral disposition, he has con¬ 
tinued from the first to pay punctually and liber-ally for all sup¬ 
ples drawn from the country for the support of his troops. 

He has used every effort to cause the war to bear lightly upon 
the people of these States, and he has hoped by this means to re¬ 
tain their confidence, and to assure their neutrality in the strife 
between his government and that of Mexico; but he regrets to say, 
that his kindness has not been appreciated, but has been met by 
acts of hostility and plunder. The citizens of the country, in¬ 
stead of pursuing their avocations quietly at home, have in armed 
bands waylaid the roads, and under the direction and with the sup¬ 
port of government troops, have destroyed trains and murdered 
drivers, under circumstances of atrocity which disgrace humanity-. 

The lives of those who were thus wantonly put to death cannot 
be restored; but the undersigned requires from the people of the 
country an indemnification for the loss sustained by the destruc¬ 
tion of the trains and the pillage of their contents. To that end 
an estimate will be made by the proper officers of the entire loss, 
and this loss must be.made good either in money or in the products 
of the country, by the community at large of the States of Tamau- 
lipas and of Nueva Leon, each district or juzgado paying its just 
proportion. It is expected that the rich will bear their full share. 

And the undersigned calls upon all good citizens to remain ab¬ 
solutely neutral, and to give no countenance to the bands which 
infest the country for the purposes of murder and pillage. It is 
his anxious desire to continue the same policy as heretofore, and 
he trusts that the course of the citizens will enable him to do so. 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 


No. 42. 

* 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , May 26, 1847. 

Sir: Colonel Doniphan’s command reached this camp to-day. 
You will see*by my u orders,” No. 59, that it will proceed to New 
Orleans for discharge and payment, leaving small detachments to 
convey the horses, &c., to Missouri overland. 

These troops have not been paid since they entered service, and 
although some of them would have preferred to be discharged and 
paid on the Rio Grande, it would have been impracticable for the 
want of funds. 

The American battery which accompanied this column from Mis¬ 
souri has been retained at Saltillo. I* have permitted the Mexican 
guns, trophies of the battle of Sacramento, to be taken to Missouri, 
where they will be delivered to the governor, subject to the final 
orders of the War Department. 




334 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


I respectfully transmit a report by Captain Read, Missouri vol¬ 
unteers, of an affair with the Lipan Indians, near Parras. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


Camp at Encantada, May 21, 1847. 

Sir: In obedience to your order just received, I have the honor 
to report, that whilst lying at the town of Parras on the night of 

the-, I was informed by the citizens of that place, that a 

party of some 60 or 70 Indians (Lipans) were in the vicinity, com¬ 
mitting depredations on defenceless citizens, and driving off their 
stock to a large amount; and was solicited to go out and rescue 
from them some women and children they were said to have taken 
from a neighboring ranche. 

Considering the good disposition of the people of Parras, gener¬ 
ally, and more especially their kind treatment of our sick soldiery 
who had been left among them, I deemed it nothing more than a 
fair return for favors received, to ^render them the assistance and 
protection that lay in my power. 

Having learned that the Indians must necessarily pass through a 
gap in the mountains, some thirty miles back on the road we had 
come, at a ranche called the Poso; I started about midnight with 
13 men who had volunteered for the service, and reached the ranche 
named at daylight; here we posted a sentinel on a commanding 
point to watch their approach. At about 10 o’clock, a. m., they 
were seen coming. I now ordered the men to mount, but kept 
them concealed within the walls of the ranche, whilst with Don 
Manuel Ybarra and tw# ‘Mexican vaqueros, I rode out towards the 
Indians, who no sooner saw us, than they gave chase and pursued 
us within a few hundred yards of the ranche. I now ordered the 
men to sally out, which they did ; the Indians returning to the 
Caballado ) where they halted for a fight. * 

The first fire of our men was delivered from their horses and was 
wholly ineffective, which I am induced to believe encourged the 
Indians to stand better than they would have done. For a short 
time the conflict was warm and close, neither party seeming to have 
the advantage; several of our horses were wounded by their arrows, 
though none of the men, except myself slightly. So soon, how¬ 
ever, as our fire began to tell and their men to fall, they fled in 
panic, leaving of their dead upon the field eight, and evidently 
carrying off many wounded; of whom seven more were found dead 
the next day. We succeeded in taking the whole caballado of 
horses and mules, consisting of some 500 head, which we left at 
the hacienda of Don Manuel Ybarro. Besides this we released 18 
prisoners, women and children, who had been shamefully maltreat- 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


335 


ed by their captors. It is proper that I should mention here that 
Lieutenants Gordon, Winston, and Sprowl, accompanied by some 
12 men, came to my aid just before the attack commenced, and to 
their gallant conduct and good service I feel myself greatly in¬ 
debted for the success of the enterprize. 

Hoping, sir, that our undertaking may have met your ap¬ 
proval, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient 
servant, 

JOHN W. REID, 

Captain company C, 1st regiment , Mo. Vols. 

Brigadier General Wool. 

A true copy. 

JNO. E. WOOL, Brig. Gen. 


No. 43. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Camp near Monterey , May 27, 1847. 

Sir: A fourth company of Texas cavalry for the war : under 
Captain Read, has reported to me, and^being filled up here to the 
minimum strength, I have directed its muster by Colonel Crogham, 
inspector general. 

I received yesterday, a communication from Captain ITowe, 2d 
dragoons, commanding at San Antonio, advising me that mounted 
troops had been raised in Texas on the call of Colonel Curtis, 
made in March, when this army was supposed to be in peril, ;nd 
that he had mustered a regiment, (800 strong,) under Colonel Hays, 
which marched on the 12th instant from this place. 

I at first supposed that this force might be the volunteers for 12 
months, organized under the call of the President, as modified in 
the secretary’s letter to Governor Henderson, of March 20th; but 
a further examination showed that they were called out only for 
six months, and were designed to comply in part with the call of 
Colonel Curtis, although the emergency which occasioned that call 
had notoriously long since passed away. I therefore deemed it * 
my duty to suspend the movement of this force, and accordingly 
issued u orders” No. 60. I presume that the department has no 
intention of employing in the field any volunteers except for the 
war , or at least 12 months, and we have at any rate no means of 
foraging this large force where its services could be usefully em¬ 
ployed. 

From the secretary’s letter of March 20th, to Governor Hender¬ 
son, which reaches me through Captain Howe, I learn for the first 
time that the supplemental companies of the regiment of Texas 
cavalry are not necessarily designed for this army, but will proba¬ 
bly be employed on the frontier of Texas. 

Considering that the arrangements for the defence of the Indian 



336 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


frontier of Texas have been confided to the officer commanding 
there, who, I perceive, is directed to confer with the governor in 
relation to his duties, I have instructed Captain Howe to make 
his reports direct to your office, and if superseded by a volunteer 
field officer, I have authorized him to leave his station and report 
to you.in person or by letter, his company, as I understand, being 
now broken up. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


Head-quarters, Army or Occupation. 

Camp near Monterey , May 27, 1847. 

Orders, ) 

No. 60. 5 

Any mounted volunteers from Texas, that may be in route to 
join this army, and not mustered for the war or for 12 months, under 
the call of the War"'Department, will return to San Antonio, or 
other point of rendezvous, and there be discharged; their services 
not being required on this line for a less period than 12 months. 
They will be mustered out of service by Captain Howe as they 
reach San Antonio. 

By order of Major General Taylor. 

W. W. S. BLISS, 

Ast. Adj. General . 


No. 44. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , May 28, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully acknowledge the receipt, on the 25th instant, 
of copies of your communications of April 28 and 30 to Brigadier 
General Cadwalader, indicating the organization of his brigade 
and the regiments of those lately raised, which are assigned to the 
particular column of Major General Scott. I have had no report 
from Brigadier General Cadwalader since he received Ihese in¬ 
structions, but have no doubt that he carried them out promptly 
and fully. 

From the copy of your letter of April 30 to Brigadier General 
Hopping, I perceive that his brigade (10th, 13th, and 16th regi¬ 
ments infantry) is assigned to the column under my orders, and & I 
infer, though not with certainty, that the 3d dragoons, also, will 
form part of my command. 

I deem this a suitable occasion to make a few remarks in relation 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 337 

to the amount of force left under my orders, and thfe future opera- 
tions on this line. 

In effectives, our strength will not exceed the following: 

Regulars. 


Artillery proper, (5 companies). 500 

Artillery serving as infantry, (4 companies).*. 250 

Dragoons, (5 companies, 1st and 2d). 300 

Dragoons, (3d regiment)... 800 

Infantry, (10th, 13th, and 16th). 1,800 


Total of regulars,. 3,650 

Volunteers. 

Cavalry, for the war , (4 companies). 300 

Infantry, for the war , (4 regiments). 2,400 


Total of volunteers,. 2,700 

2,700 


Grand total,... 6,350 


The minimum force that should be left to hold this point, Camar- 
go, Matamoras, and the adjacent stations, is 1,500, but preferably 
2,000 men. Deducting the smaller of these numbers, we shall have 
4,850 men available for active field service; a force quite too small 
for operations against San Luis Potosi. 

We are not well informed as to the state of preparation for de¬ 
fence and resistance at that city, and it may be that even the limi¬ 
ted force above-mentioned, though for the most part entirely new, 
could take the place; but it is quite clear that it would be insuffi¬ 
cient to hold it and operate beyond, and yet more, to open and 
maintain, as we should probably be obliged to do, a line of commu¬ 
nication with Tampico. Simply to take and hold San Luis with¬ 
out the ability of operating thence, in the direction of the capitol, 
would be of little utility, while an evacuation of the town would 
be, in the highest degree, pernicious. 

We should march, therefore, if at all, fully prepared not only to 
hold San Luis, and, if necessary, keep up a communication with 
Tampico, but also to operate from that place, at least as far as Que- 
retaro, a military position of the first importance on the route to 
Mexico. 

For such purpose, I consider 6,000 effective men the very small¬ 
est force that should be ventured, and in view of the description of 
troops, and the entire want of well disciplined infantry of the line, 
8,000 men would be few enough to enable us to operate with con¬ 
fidence. The estimate above presented, which is a liberal one of 
the efficient force, say a month or six weeks hence, falls consider¬ 
ably short of the least of the above numbers. What accession of 
force may be expected by that time I am not advised, the state- 

22 















338 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

ment, dated April 26th, alluded to in your letter of May 3d, not 
having come to hand. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General , U. S. Army, commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C . 


No. 45. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , May 29, 1847. 

Sir: In reply to your communication of May 3d, relative to the 
staff officers of volunteers, I regret that I cannot make a very satis¬ 
factory reply—much the greater portion of those officers having 
already passed down on their way to New Orleans with their 
respective regiments. You will have seen, however, that they were 
directed to report from that city to the chiefs of their respective 
departments, which will afford an opportunity of retaining such as 
may be desired. 

I submit, however, memoranda furnished by the chiefs of the 
quartermaster, subsistence, and medical departments, which will 
probably be useful, and which I approve. 

A portion, at least, of the new regiments of volunteers for the war 
have come into the field provided with staff officers in some of the 
above departments. 

I write by this mail to Colonel Churchill, in New Orleans, de¬ 
siring him to furnish your office with an accurate list of all staff 
officers serving with the regiments which he is mustering out, and 
their respective addresses. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding . 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 47. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , June 6, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully enclose herewith the copy of a letter recently- 
addressed to the staff officer of Major General Scott, touching the 
condition of the service in this quarter as relates to the officers of 
the companies of artillery.* 


♦See despatch No. 48. (Correspondencebetween Major Generals Scott and Taylor, No. 19.) 






Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


339 


I have to request that in the approaching assignment of gradu¬ 
ates from the military academy, a brevet second lieutenant be 
arranged, if practicable, to each of the artillery companies on this 
line, but particularly those (C and E 3d, and B 4th) serving with 
harnessed batteries. 

Your attention is also respectfully invited to the condition of the 
squadron of the 1st dragoons now with this column. The recent 
casualties in that regiment will remove from the squadron every 
officer now with it, except Lieutenant Whittlesey. I shall be 
obliged to retain them, perhaps to the prejudice of the service else¬ 
where, unless their places can be supplied. The assignment of a 
brevet second lieutenant to each of the companies will, to some ex¬ 
tent, effect that object. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A., commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 48. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , June 8, 1847. 

Sir: I think it advisable to transmit, for file in your office, copies 
of the correspondence between myself and Major General Scott’s 
head-quarters since his designation for the command in Mexico. 

Major General Scott’s semi-official note of November 25th, 1846, 
is not included, having been already published, and I preserved no 
copy of the answer to it, dated December 26th. If a copy of that 
reply be on your files, I will thank you to furnish me with it. 

The copies enclosed, 19 in number, are as follows: 

1. Major Gen. Scott to Major Gen. Taylor, dated Dec. 20, 1846. 

2. Major Gen. Scott to Major Gen. Taylor, dated Jan. 3, 1847, 
with enclosure marked A. 

3. Major General Scott to Major General Taylor, dated January 


6, 1847. 

4. Major General Taylor to Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott, dated 
January 15, 1847. 

5. Major General Taylor to Major General Scott, dated January 
15, 1847. 

6. Major General Taylor to Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott, dated 
January 26, 1847. 

7. Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott to Major General Taylor, dated 
January 25, 1847. 

8. Major General Scott to Major General Taylor, dated January 
26, 1847. 

9. Major General Taylor to Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott, dated 
February 7, 1847. 



340 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

10. Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott to Major General Taylor, dated 
February 5, 1847. 

11. Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott to Major General Taylor, dated 
March 1, 1847. 

12. Major General Taylor to Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott, dated 
February 13, 1847. 

13. Major General Taylor to Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott, dated 
March 1, 1847. 

14. Major General Taylor to Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott, dated 
March 20, 1847. 

15. Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott to Major General Taylor, dated 
March 17, 1847. 

16. Major General Taylor to Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott, dated 
April 16, 1847. 

17. Major General Scott to Major General Taylor, dated April 
24, 1847. 

18. Major General Taylor to Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott, dated 
May 16, 1847. 

19. Major General Taylor to Lieut, and A. D. C. Scott, dated 
May 23, 1847. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A., commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


[No* l.J Head-quarters of the Army, 

JVew Orleans , December 20, 1846. 

Sir: I enclose, herewith, a copy of a semi-official letter, which 
I addressed to you from New York the 25th ultimo. 

A tedious passage only brought me to this place yesterday, and 
I now write by a safe conveyance, Captain Montgomery, who sails 
in an hour or two. I shall follow the day after to-morrow, in the 
steamship Alabama. 

The particular expedition I am to conduct, is destined against 
Yera Cruz, and through it, the castle of St. Juan de Ulloa, so as 
to open, if we are successful, a new and shorter line of opera¬ 
tions upon the capital of Mexico. 

The first great difficulty is, to get together in time, and afloat 
off the Brassos, a sufficient force to give us a reasonable prospect 
of success before the usual'period, say, the end of March, for the 
return of the black vomit on the coast of Mexico. 

I have supposed that 15,000 land troops, including five of regu¬ 
lars, and the co-operation of the blockading squadron, desirable, if 
not absolutely necessary; but am now inclined to move forward to 
the attack should I be able to assemble the 5,000 regulars, and, 
say, three of volunteers. 

Of the new regiments of volunteers called for from States this 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


341 


side of Texas, I can hardly hope that more than four will reach 
the Brassos before the 15th of the next month, the day I have ap¬ 
pointed for that general rendezvous; and I have supposed that the 
descent ought to be made, in sight of Vera Cruz, at an early day 
in February. On all those points, and others connected with the 
invasion of Mexico, on this side of the continent, your advice is in¬ 
vited, and will be highly acceptable. Perhaps you may be able to 
meet me on the Rio Grande, say at Camargo, or lower down the 
river, and 1 shall send an officer to you at an early day, who will 
be able to communicate my views to you in greater detail. 

To make up the force for the new expedition, I foresee that I 
shall, as I intimated in my letter, of which I enclose a copy, be 
obliged to reduce you to the defensive, at the moment when it 
would be of the greatest importance to the success of my expedi¬ 
tion that you should be in strength to manoeuvre offensively upon 
San Luis de Pofosi, &c. 

It is not know r n that Brigadier General Wool’s division has yet 
joined you, but it is supposed that he is already on your line of 
operations. 

This letter is written in haste, to enable you to prepare the troops 
to be detached from your general command. 

Including the regulars and volunteers at Tampico, or on their 
way thither, I may now say that I shall want from you, say Worth’s 
division of regulars, made up to 4,000-men, two field batteries, say 
Duncan’s and Taylor’s, and 500 regular cavalry, beside 500 volun¬ 
teer cavalry, and as many volunteer foot as you can possibly spare, 
leaving you a sufficient force to defend Monterey and maintain 
your communications with Camargo, the mouth, of the Rio Grande, 
and Point Isabel. The whole of this force will be needed at the 
latter points by the middle of January. 

Until I can communicate with you again, I forbear further de¬ 
tails, and remain, with the highest respect, your most obedient ser¬ 
vant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

P. S.—Troops at Tampico will be,*perhaps, in a more favorable 
position for embarkation, as a part of the Yera Cruz expedition, 
than if they were at Point Isabel. I propose to leave but a small 
garrison at Tampico. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. A ., commanding , #c., fyc. 

A true copy, received at Victoria, January 16, 1847. 

W. W. S. BLISS, A . A. G. 


[No. 2.J Head-quarters of the Army, 

Camargo , January 3, 1847. 

Sir: I received here, soon after my arrival to-day, your letter of 
the 26th ultimo, acknowledging mine to you of November 25th. 



342 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


I am sorry that mine of the 20th ultimo had not been received 
by you, as it would, I think, have brought you back to Monterey. 
As it is, I am much embarrassed by your great distance from me. 
That circumstance, and the extreme pressure of time, has thrown 
me upon the necessity of giving direct instructions, of a very im¬ 
portant character, to your next in command. Please see, herewith, 
a copy of my letter to Major General Butler of this date. Should 
you be back at Monterey in time, you will consider it addressed to 
yourself. A part of it I beg you to carry into execution at Victo¬ 
ria, or wherever else you may be. I allude to the concentration at 
Tampico of the troops which marched with Major General Patter¬ 
son from Matamoras, those under Brigadier General Quitman from 
Monterey, as well as Brigadier General Twiggs’s brigade, which 
marched with you, all, as I understand, upon Victoria. Should 
you deem a garrison at the latter place indispensable, you will 
please leave one, and also reserve a sufficient escort for your return 
to Monterey, or other point in this direction. I will, on my arri¬ 
val there, determine the strength of the garrison to be left at Tam¬ 
pico; but shall be glad to receive your suggestions on thisjpoint, 
as well as others. 

My letter to Major General Butler, herewith, is so full, that I 
have but little to add, even if time permitted. 

You will consider yourself as continued in the command you 
have so long and so honorably held. I shall not, beyond the necessi¬ 
ties of the service, interfere with you. Your reports will be ad¬ 
dressed to me at the Brassos, or Tampico, until I shall be farther 
down the coast of Mexico; I mean special, not ordinary reports. 
They will, when neGessary, be forwarded by me to Washington. 
After I may be supposed south of Tampico, you will resume your 
general correspondence with the adjutant general of the army, at 
the seat of government, and report to me, specially, such matters 
as may be of common interest to our two lines of operations, and 
I shall reciprocate. Our correspondence with each other ought, 
how T ever, to be full, and as rapid as circumstances may permit. 

Should I succeed in taking Vera Cruz, and through it, its castle, 
the new line of operations upon the capital of Mexico will be 
opened. By that time, say towards April, we may both, I hope, 
be sufficiently reinforced to advance equally, and to meet some¬ 
where near the goal; which junction, I think, cannot, fail to en¬ 
able us to dictate an armistice that will insure a satisfactory treaty 
of peace. 

While engaged in attacking the harbor of Vera Cruz, I regret, 
no less on your account than my own, that you will not be in 
strength tomanoeuvre offensively upon San Luisde Potosi,and points 
beyond. It would greatly favor my enterprise, and your own in¬ 
clinations; but I cannot, on account of the near approach of the 
vomito , wait tor the new troops (regulars, I hope) which Congress 
may give us. Hence I am compelled, by diminishing your forces, 
to reduce you, for a time, to the strict defensive. As I have here¬ 
tofore said, you can afford, and the common service requires it. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


343 


If the troops arrive in time, and I will not anticipate a failure, 
I shall leave the Brassos about the beginning of next month, and 
Tampico for Yera Cruz some five days later. All the vessels with 
troops, ordnance, and ordnance stores, and other supplies, as they 
arrive off, or depart from, the Brassos or Tampico, will be ordered 
to the general rendezvous behind the islands of Blanquilla and 
Lobos, some fifty miles beyond Tampico, said to be an excellent 
harbor. There I shall join them. 

I believe my arrangements, of every sort, to be complete, except 
that everything depends on my drawing from your command about 

5,000 regulars, and -thousand volunteers. With these forces, 

and adding three or five regiments of new volunteers, (foot,) Prov¬ 
idence may defeat me, but I do not believe the Mexicans can. 

With the greatest respect, I remain truly yours, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. Army , commanding , #c., fyc. 


The original of this letter was never received; being captured on 
the person of Lieutenant Richey, when he was murdered at Villa 
Gran. Copies of it and its enclosure were received with No. 3, 
January 14, 1847, at camp near Victoria. 

W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. G. 

True copy of a copy. 

W. W. S. BLISS, A . A. G. 


A. 

[Confidential.] 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Camargo , January 3, 1847. 

Sir: We are in sight of the above place, and 1 begin this com¬ 
munication to save time. 

Ascending the Rio Grande, I have learned that Major General 
Taylor has, a second time, marched for Victoria from Monterey. 
It is probable that he is now near that place. 

The copy of my letter to him of the 20th ultimo, herewith in¬ 
closed, will explain to you my mission, and the necessity I am un¬ 
der of giving you direct the instructions you will find below. 

That letter, I learn here, has been criminally delayed by the 
officer to whom I entrusted it at New Orleans, and hence may not 
reach its address this side of Victoria. A previous letter of mine, 
to the same commander, dated November 25th, a copy of which I 
also inclose, has, as I have learned, had even a more tedious trans- 




344 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


mission. After a detention of some days at New Orleans, it was 
twelve more (on board a steamer) in getting to the Brassos, and 
only passed Matamoras the 19th or 20th ultimo. Hence, I may 
find no communication from Major General Taylor at Camargo, 
and hence, probably, his present absence from Monterey. 

I give these details as an indirect apology to him for my neces¬ 
sary interference with his general command, which, otherwise, 
would only be done through him. The apology will, on the first 
occasion, be made to him direct. 

To capture the city of Vera Cruz, and, through it, the Castle 
of San Juan d’Ulloa, I deem it indispensable, in order to anticipate 
the usual return of the black vomit—in March or April—that the 
whole expedition that I am to conduct should be afloat off the 
Brassos, and off Tampico, in the first week of the next # month. 
Some three or five of the new regiments of volunteers (not the 
Texan regiment of horse) will, probably, be up at the formerpoint, 
in time to be included; but my principal force must be drawn from 
the troops now under Major General Taylor. Those already at 
Tampico, and the greater part assembled at Victoria, may be em¬ 
barked at Tampico, leaving a small garrison at Tampico, and as 
an escort to Major General Taylor; and I shall send instructions 
for the movement from Victoria upon Tampico. The remaining 
numbers needed from the same command, will move to the mouth 
of the Rio Grande, or Point Isabel, in order to embark off the 
Brassos. Tampico I suppose to be the better point for embarka¬ 
tions; but the Brassos may be sooner reached, and time is an 
element in the expedition as important, perhaps, as the number of 
troops to be employed. 

Of the number of troops at Tampico, and assembled, or in march 
for Victoria—regulars and volunteers—I can form only a very im¬ 
perfect estimate, having seen no returns of a late date. My infor¬ 
mation as to the forces at Saltillo, Monterey, &c., &c., is not much 
better. I estimate, however, the whole force now under Major 
General Taylor’s orders to be about 17,000—seven of regulars, and 
ten of volunteers. Two thousand regulars, and five of volun¬ 
teers, I suppose—the whole standing on the defensive—to be neces¬ 
sary to hold Monterey, Seralvo, Camargo, Reynosa, Matamoras, 
Point Isabel, the Brassos, the mouth of the Rio Grande, and Tam¬ 
pico. I do not enumerate Saltillo and Victoria, because I suppose 
they may be abandoned or held without hurting or improving the 
line of defence I have indicated. I wish to give no definite opinion 
as to either, or as to other smaller points mentioned above, but to 
leave them open to the consideration of Major General Taylor, or, 
in the first instance, (in his absence,) to yourself; and you are, no 
doubt, in possession of his more recent views. 

[Here, (Camargo,) a little while after reaching the landing, I re¬ 
ceived Major General Taylor’s letter of the 26th ultimo, acknow¬ 
ledging mine of November 25th. As he says he intends to pro¬ 
ceed to Victoria, the point in the whole theatre of his operations 
the most inaccessible to me, both from this place and Matamoras, 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 345 

I shall proceed with my instructions to you, taking care to send 
him a copy, with such additions as I may deem necessary.] 

You will, therefore, without waiting to hear from Major Gen¬ 
eral Taylor, and without the least unnecessary delay—in order that 
they may be in time, as above—put in movement, for the mo*uth of 
the Rio Grande, the following troops: 

About five hundred regular cavalry, of the 1st and 2d regiments 
of dragoons, including Lieutenant Kearny’s troop. 

About five hundred volunteer cavalry. I rely upon you to select 
the best. 

Two field batteries of regular light artillery, (say,) Duncan’s 
and Taylors; and 

Four thousand regulars on foot, including artillery acting as in¬ 
fantry. The whole under Brevet Brigadier General Worth—about 
this time, no doubt, a major general by brevet, and assigned to 
duty according to the latter rank. 

In addition, put in movement, for the same point of embarka¬ 
tion, (the Brassos,) and to be there as above, 4,000 volunteer in¬ 
fantry. 

Deduct from the above numbers, regulars and volunteers, as fol¬ 
lows: 

The troops at Victoria and at Tampico, less the garrison, (say,) 
500 for the latter place, and the escort that Major General Taylor 
may need back to Monterey. And, also, one of the volunteer regi¬ 
ments at Matamoras; I having ordered Colonel Curtis’s regiment 
to remain there, notwithstanding the arrival of Colonel Drake’s to 
relieve him. Make no other deductions, unless pressed by the im¬ 
mediate presence of the enemy in great force. 

Some of those deductions I am myself unable to make from the 
want of returns, and other information alluded to above. 

Of the volunteers, Major General Patterson, Brigadier Generals 
Pillow and Quitman, are at, or in march for, Victoria, which I 
suppose to be within easy reach of Tampico in time for my expe¬ 
dition; and Brigadier General Shields is at the latter place. The 
President of the United States may appoint other general officers 
to the new regiments of volunteers; many of which regiments I 
hope will be up in time. In the latter case, I may take four or 
five, and leave the remainder to join Major General Taylor. 
Should another major general of volunteers be required, I shall be 
most happy to avail myself of your services with me, if Major 
General Taylor can spare you, and he be back at“Monterey.in time; 
and, perhaps, if no new appointments to the rank be made, I may 
require another volunteer brigadier general from your present im¬ 
mediate command. 

I hope to hear promptly at the Brassos, whither I shall immedi¬ 
ately go, (stopping one day, perhaps, at Matamoras,) that the above 
instructions are in a rapid train of execution. The troops should 
all move with light trains, as they will move upon ample supplies. 
I shall, in the first instance, take from Major General Taylor’s 
theatre of operations but a small part of his means of land trans¬ 
portation. 


346 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Relying upon your known energy and good faith, I remain, sir, 
with high respect, your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Major General W. O. Butler, 

U. S. volunteers , commanding , fyc. fyc. 

P. S. I expect to be personally at Tampico, to superintend that 
part of my expedition that is to embark there, towards the end of 
this month. 

The whole of the eight regiments of the new foot volunteers 
will be up with the Brassos, I hope, by the end of this month. 
Major General Taylor may rely upon three, if not four, of them 
for his immediate command, and make your calculations for him 
now, accordingly. 

I have supposed above that Brigadier General Wool, and Brevet 
Brigadier General Worth, with their troops, to be under your im¬ 
mediate orders. If not already so, you will assume command over 
them'in order to carry out the above instructions. 

W. S. 

True copy of a copy. 

W. W. S. BUSS, A. A. G. 


[No. 3.] Head-quarters of the Army, 

Matamoras , January 6, 1847. 

Sir: I wrote to you and to Major General Butler, from Camargo, 
three days ago. I think it safer to transmit copies of those let¬ 
ters to you, at Victoria, by Major General Patterson’s route from 
this place. 

Five companies of rifles came with me from New Orleans, and 
w\ll remain encamped at the mouth of this river until the arrival 
of their horses left in charge of an officer and ten men, per com¬ 
pany, to follow in sail vessels. 

I do not at present expect to take those companies with me 
against Vera Cruz; but I am very anxious that Colonel P. F. 
Smith, of that regiment, should have the command of a brigade of 
regulars in the expedition; and if he be brevetted, as I hope he 
may be, I shall give him such command. He can embark at Tam¬ 
pico. 

Of the officers of engineers, topographical engineers, and ord¬ 
nance, with you, or under your command, I propose to take only 
Captain R. Lee, of the first named corps. Colonel Totten, who 
will be with me, desires him, and I shall write to have him sent 
down from Saltillo. 

Paymaster Kirby, I learn, is with you. If you can spare him, 
please instruct him to juin me at Tampico. Paymasters Van Bu- 
ren and R. H. Hammond are here. The three, and, say, two 
others, may suffice for my expedition at the beginning. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


347 


I have no assistant adjutant general with me. Probably a new 
one, with the rank of major, may be appointed. In the mean time, 
I am unwilling to deprive either you, Major General Butler, or 
Major General Patterson, of the major of that department with 
you respectively. 

It may be that the troops, moving from Victoria upon Tampico, 
will be able, to some extent, to avail themselves of the Panuco 
river, and I shall, accordingly, if practicable, send some steamers 
of a light draught of water to meet them. 

The water on the Rio Grande continues to fall gradually. To¬ 
wards the end of this month it will be difficult for any of the gov¬ 
ernment steamers to ascend as high as Camargo. Hence another 
reason for the rapid march of the troops I have called for from 
your command from Monterey and Saltillo. 

I remain, sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Major General Taylor, 

United States Army , commanding , #c., fyc. 

A true copy: received January 14, at camp near Victoria. 

W. W. S. BLISS, 
Assistant Adjutant General . 


[No. 4.J Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Victoria , January 15, 1847. 

Sir: The communication of Major General Scott, of the 6th 
instant, accompanied by copies of his letters of the 3d, to Major 
General Butler and myself, was received yesterday. The original 
of his letter of the 3d has not yet reached me, nor have I any dates 
from Major General Butler later than December 28th. The com¬ 
munication of December 20th has never been received. 

I effected a junction with Major General Patterson at this place 
on the 4th inst., and have since been awaiting advices from Major 
General Scott, not doubting that I should hear from him on his 
first arrival at Matamoras, or, perhaps, from Tampico, whither a 
confidential messenger was despatched on the 6th. But, owing to 
the state of supplies, it became necessary to move the command, 
and a movement was accordingly ordered in the direction of Tam¬ 
pico. The regular troops, under Brigadier General Twiggs, 
marched yesterday. The brigades of Major General Patterson’s 
division march to-day and to-morrow. This force will reach Tam¬ 
pico by the 25th instant, or soon after. 

The enclosed return will exhibit the entire force now in route, or 
about marching on Tampico, from this point. I have retained 
Lieutenant Colonel May’s squadron as part of my escort to Mon¬ 
terey, and also the Mississippi regiment, partly as escort to head¬ 
quarters and partly to guard a train of supplies just arrived from 
Matamoras, and which I deem it unnecessary to send forward to 
Tampico. No troops will be left in garrison here. 



348 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


As I presume that General Butler, under his instructions, has 
ordered the batteries of General Worth’s command to march with 
it to the mouth of the river, and as I infer from those same instruc¬ 
tions that not more than two batteries are required by Major Gen¬ 
eral Scott, I have directed the return to Monterey of Captains 
Bragg’s and Sherman’s. If I have mistaken his wishes in this mat¬ 
ter I beg to be advised without delay, as the batteries may still 
join him in time. 

To the troops, regular and volunteer, marching hence on Tam¬ 
pico, may be added perhaps 300 artillery of Colonel Gates’s bat¬ 
talion, and the Alabama regiment, about 500 strong. The Ten¬ 
nessee horse will more than fill General Scott’s requisition for 
volunteer cavalry. 

Not knowing the action taken by Major General Butler, under 
the instructions of the general-in-chief, I cannot now write more 
fully. On reaching Monterey I may be able to give my views in 
regard to the wants of the service on the defensive line, which it is 
proposed to hold. 

I respectfully enclose a return of the regular troops of the army 
of occupation for November. Since its date some 600 recruits have 
joined, exclusive of such newly organized companies (rifle or other 
corps) as may have recently arrived. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General United States Army , commanding. 

Lieutenant H. L. Scott, 

Aid-de-camp , or Chief of the Staffs 

Major General Scott 1 s head-quarters, Brassos island. 


A true copy: 


W. W. S. BLISS, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 


[No. 5.J Head-quarters, Armv of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , [Victoria ,] January 15, 1847. 

Sir: In a communication addressed this day to your staff officer, 
I have replied to so much of your letter, of the 6th instant, and its 
enclosures, as relates to points of detail; but there are other and 
grave topics embraced in those communications to which I deem it 
my right and my duty to reply directly. 

The amount of force to be withdrawn from this frontier, and the 
manner in which it is proposed to withdraw it, had never fully 
come to my knowledge until yesterday, though hinted at in your 
note of November 25th. Had you, general, relieved me at once in 
the whole command, and assigned me to duty under your orders, or 
allowed me to retire from the field, be assured that no complaint 
would have been heard from me. But while almost every man of 
my regular force, and half the volunteers, (now in respectable dis¬ 
cipline,) are withdrawn for distant service, it seems that I am ex- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


349) 


pected, with less than a thousand regulars and a volunteer force ? 
partly of new levies, to hold a defensive line, while a large army 
of more than 20,000 is in my front. 

I speak only of a defensive line; for the idea of assuming offen¬ 
sive operations in the direction of San Luis, by March, or even 
May, with such troops as can then he at my disposition, is quite 
too preposterous to be entertained for a moment. After all that I 
have written to the department on the subject of such operations, I 
find it difficult to believe that I am seriously expected to undertake 
them, with the extraordinarily limited means placed at my disposal, 

I cannot misunderstand the object of the arrangements indicated 
in your letters. I feel that I have lost the confidence of the 
government, or it would not have suffered me to remain up to this 
time ignorant of its intentions, when so vitally affecting interests 
committed to my charge. But however much I may feel, personal¬ 
ly, mortified and outraged at the course pursued, unprecedented, at 
least, in our own history, I will carry out in good faith, while I re¬ 
main in Mexico, the views of the government, though I may be 
sacrificed in the effort. 

I deeply regret to find in your letters of January 3d, to Major 
General Butler and myself, an allusion to my position here, which 
I cannot but consider as an insinuation that I have put myself, wil¬ 
lingly, out of the reach of your communications. I beg leave to 
remark that the movement of troops in this direction, and my own 
march hither, were undertaken for public reasons, fully set forth in 
my reports to the adjutant general; one of them being my desire to 
place in position for embarkation to Vera Cruz, should the govern¬ 
ment order an expedition to that point, the force (2,000 regulars 
and 2,000 volunteers) which I reported might be spared for that 
service. 

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient ser¬ 
vant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding , 

Major General W. Scott, 

Commanding U . S. Army , Brassos Island , Texas. 


A true copy. 


w. w. S. BLISS, 

A. A. G. 


[No. 6.J Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , January 26, 1847. 

Sir : I respectfully report my arrival at this place on the 24th 
instant. After I had left my camp near Victoria, I received Major 
General Scott’s letter of December 20th, and was advised, at the 



350 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


same time, of the murder of Lieutenant Richey, 5th infantry, and 
the loss of despatches conveyed by that officer. 

It seems that on reaching the town of Villa Gran, on the 13th in¬ 
stant, Lieutenant Richey separated himself from his escort, for the 
purpose of purchasing provisions and forage; that he was assaulted by 
a gang of desperadoes, lassoed, and brutally put to death. He had 
been despatched to my head-quarters by Major General Butler, with 
some communications, the most important being General Scott’s 
original instructions to me of January 3d. Those instructions, with 
other despatches found on Lieutenant Richey’s person, were doubt¬ 
less forwarded to San Luis. Every effort was made by the offer of 
rewards, &c., to recover the despatches, and apprehend the murderers, 
but, it is feared, without success. I have, however, in custody a 
Mexican, who is unquestionably criminated in the affair. 

On reaching this place, I found that Major General Butler had 
punctually carried out the instructions of the general-in-chief. 
The recruits for the 3d infantry, however, were retained here, and 
I only wait advices from General Scott’s head-quarters to put them 
in march for the mouth of the river. 

We hear from the interior that General Santa Anna has certain¬ 
ly been elected president, and Gomez Farrias, vice president of 
the republic. The former, at the last advices from San Luis, had 
gone thence to the capital. The army is represented to be suffer¬ 
ing for want of supplies, and the congress seems unwilling or 
unable to vote the necessary appropriations. 

From the direction of Durango, we learn that an action took 
place at the Paso del Norte, between a detachment of troops from 
Santa Fe, and a Mexican force which had marched from Chihuahua, 
resulting in the defeat and dispersion of the latter, with considera¬ 
ble loss. It is presumed, that our troops are now in possession of 
Chihuahua. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General , U. S. Army , commanding. 

Lieut. H. L. Scott, 

Aid-de-camp , or chief of staff , Major General Scoffs 
Head-quarters , Brassos , Santiago. 


A true copy. 


W. W. S. BLISS, 

A. A. G. 


[No. 7.] Head-quarters of the Army, 

Brassos San Iago , January 25, 1847. 

Sir : Major General Scott has instructed me to request, that you 
would order the detachment of recruits for the 3d infantry, under 
Captain Gordon, now at Monterey, to the mouth of the Rio Grande, 
unless the detachment has been incorporated into some body of 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


351 


troops under your command. In the latter case, it is the desire of 
the general that the regiment should remain with you. 

I am further instructed to request, that you will please order to 
the mouth of the Rio Grande, thence to join their regiments, any 
detachments, within the limits of your command, or convalescents 
able to travel, or men otherwise separated from regiments belong¬ 
ing to the more immediate command of Major General Scott. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. G. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. Army , commanding , <Src. ? Src., Monterey. 

A true copy: received February 7. 

W. W. S. BLISS, 

A. A . G. 


[No. 8.] Head-quarters of the Army, 

Brassos San lago , January 26, 1847. 

Sir : I have received your two letters of the 15th instant. 

There are some expressions in those letters, which, as I wish to 
forget them, I shall not specify or recall. 

You intimate a preference for service, in my particular expedition, 
to remaining in your present position with greatly reduced num¬ 
bers. I can most truly respond that to take you with me, as second 
in command, would contribute greatly to my personal delight, and, 
I confidently believe, to the success of that expedition. But I 
could not propose it to you, for two reasons, either of which was 
conclusive with me, at the moment: 1. I thought you would be 
left in a higher and more responsible position where you are, and, 
2. I knew th.at it was not contemplated by the government to super¬ 
sede you in, or to take you from, that immediate command. 

If I had been within easy reach of you at the time I called for 
troops from your line of operations, I should, as I had previously 
assured you, have consulted you fully on all points; and, probably, 
might have modified my call, both as to number and description 
of the forces to be taken from, or to be left with you. As it was, 
I had to act promptly, and, to a considerable extent, in the dark. 
All this, I think, will be apparent to you, when you shall review 
my letters. 

I hope I have left, or shall leave you, including the new volun¬ 
teers who will soon be up, a competent force to defend the head 
of your line (Monterey) and its communications with the depots in 
this neighborhood. To enable you to do this more certainly, I 
must ask you to abandon Saltillo, and to make no detachments, 
except for reconnoissances and immediate defence, much beyond 
Monterey. I know this to be the wish of the government, founded 
on reasons in which I concur; among them, that the enemy intends 
to operate against small detachments and posts. 



352 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


I fear that I may be delayed here, or at Tampico, in embarking 
troops, till, perhaps, the 10th of the next month, waiting for tran¬ 
sports; and again, a few days more, at the general rendezvous, be¬ 
hind the island of Lobos, waiting for some of the volunteer regi¬ 
ments, boats for debarkation, ordnance and ordnance stores. 

Finding that Colonel Smith, with two companies of his rifle 
regiment, are at Tampico, or in its neighborhood, I shall take with 
me his seven companies, now near the mouth of the Rio Grande, 
and, perhaps, Colonel Curtis’s regiment of Ohio volunteers, detained 
at Matamoras. My uncertainty, in respect to the latter, refers to the 
number of new regiments of volunteers that may arrive in time 
off the bar for my expedition. I shall not take with me Captain 
Hunter’s company of the 2d dragoons, as it is dismounted. There 
will, however, be horses for it here in perhaps a week. I shall 
leave instructions for him, when mounted, to ascend the river to 
Camargo, to meet your orders. No guard will be left by me at the 
mouth of the Rio Grande. I give you this information that you 
may place a detachment there, at your own discretion. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, with great respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

P. S. 1 beg you to make my official acknowledgments to Major 
General Butler, for the promptitude and zeal displayed by him in 
your temporary absence, in detaching the troops I called for in my 
despatch to him, of the 3d instant. The greater part, if not the 
whole, of those troops, are now below Matamoras. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. Army , commanding 2d army corps. 

A true copy: received February 7. 

W. W. S. BLISS, 

A. A. G. 


[No. 9.] Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Agua JVueva , February 7, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the communication of 
Major General Scott, dated January 26th, your’s of the 25th of that 
month, and a file of orders issued from the head-quarters of the 
army at Brassos Santiago. 

In reply to so much of General Scott’s letter as relates to the 
evacuation of Saltillo, I beg leave to say that I consider the occu¬ 
pation of that city, or rather a position in its front, as essential to 
the due defence of the line which I am now reduced to hold. I 
have, therefore, established a camp at this point, eighteen miles in 
advance of Saltillo, and shall concentrate here ajl the troops in 
front, except a small garrison left in that city. It is my purpose 
to hold this position, unless I am positively ordered to fall back by 
the government at Washington, to which my views and the position 
of affairs here are fully communicated. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


353 


About the time of my return to the city of Monterey, two recon¬ 
noitring parties from the Kentucky and Arkansas regiments of ca¬ 
valry, commanded respectively by Majors Gaines and Borland, of 
those regiments, having effected a junction at Encarnacion, some 
thirty miles in advance of jthis position, were surprised by a large 
party of Mexican cavalry and taken prisoners; one man only effect¬ 
ing his escape, on the following day. A small party of Kentucky 
cavalry, under Captain Heady, which was sent out to gain informa¬ 
tion of the first detachment, was also surprised and captured a day 
or two afterwards. These captures include nearly one hundred of¬ 
ficers and men. From the information we have received, there can 
be no doubt that they all resulted from carelessness and want of 
vigilance; and, in the first instance, at least, from direct disobe¬ 
dience of orders. 

The frequent alarms in this quarter, since the middle of Decem¬ 
ber, seem to have had no substantial foundation. The only force 
which has approached this position, has been the one of cavalry 
which made the above captures, and which was distinctly invited 
by the extreme want of caution of our own parties. It is under¬ 
stood that that force has fallen back to Mataguala, and it is even 
reported that large detachments have been made from San Luis in 
the direction of Yera Cruz, which I think not improbable. 

You will perceive from my “special orders,” No. 7, that the de¬ 
tachment of recruits, under Captain Gordon, at least so much of it 
as came forward to Monterey, has been temporarily distributed 
among the artillery companies, serving in this quarter. Those 
companies, except Captain Washington’s, had become so much re¬ 
duced in effectives as to render some immediate measures necessary 
to make them efficient for field service; and I deemed the necessi¬ 
ties of the case, and the great importance of the arm of artillery 
in my present position, sufficient to warrant me in retaining the re¬ 
cruits. Should recruits for the artillery arrive, (and I have ad¬ 
dressed the adjutant general on the subject,) those now “tempora¬ 
rily attached” to companies, in this quarter, will be sent to join 
their proper regiment. 

Before I left Monterey, orders had been given, by Major General 
Butler, for all convalescents, &c., to proceed to their regiments 
below, under the command of Major Alexander, 1st Tennessee vol¬ 
unteers. This detachment included the men of Lieutenant Kear¬ 
ny’s company, who were sent as Lieutenant Richey’s escort to Vic¬ 
toria. Most of their horses had been broken down on that ro,ute. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

• Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding . 

Lieutenant H. L. Scott, 

A. B. C. y or chief of the staff , Major General Scott’s 
Head-quarters , Brassos Santiago. 


A true copy. 


W. W. S. BLISS, 

A. A. G. 


23 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


354 

[No. 10.] Head-quarters of the Army, 

Brassos Santiago , February 15, 1847. 

Sir: 1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your com¬ 
munication of the 26th ultimo, reporting your arrival at Monterey, 
the murder of Lieutenant Richey, and fhe loss of despatches en¬ 
trusted to him-, &c., &c. 

Previous to the receipt of your communication, a well authenti¬ 
cated report of the murder of Lieutenant Richey had reached Major 
General Scott, who has instructed me to communicate for your in¬ 
formation the following extract from his despatch, of the 4th in¬ 
stant, to the Secretary of War: u If Lieutenant Richey (reported 
among the slain) had not time to destroy the despatches about his 
person, (which is highly improbable,) General Santa Anna, at San 
Luis de Potosi, had them, no doubt, in four days after their cap¬ 
ture! It is consequently more than probable that, before this time, 
the greater part of the Mexican army, lately assembled at San Luis 
de Potosi, has reached Yera Cruz or its vicinity. Major General 
Taylor’s mind has, no doubt, ere this, arrived at the same conclu¬ 
sion; and I shall write to suggest to him, at his own discretion, the 
advantage of manoeuvring offensively, in the direction of San Luis 
de Potosi, after being partially reinforced with some of the new 
regiments of volunteers. The suggestions would be unnecessary, 
but for the intimations he has received to stand on the defensive.” 

General orders, No. 6, of the 30th ultimo, herewith, will have 
made you acquainted with the proportion of new volunteers allotted 
at that date to you; and the following extract from the despatch of 
the general-in-chief to the Secretary of War, of the 4th instant, 
explains his views in making that allotment, as well as the subse¬ 
quent circumstances that have changed it: U I am becoming ex¬ 
ceedingly anxious for the arrival of all the vessels that are due. 
The season for operations on the coast is already short, and I am 
personally wanted at Tampico and Lobos. I cannot, however, 
leave here without some certainty as to' the near approach of 
essentials. 

u The 1st Pennsylvania regiment of volunteers, the Louisiana 
volunteers, and a part of the New York volunteers, had passed this 
place before my general orders, No. 6, of the 30th ultimo. At 
date, I intended to take with me four regiments of the new volun¬ 
teers only, leaving the remainder for Major General Taylor. The 
three mentioned being up, in whole or in part, were ordered to 
Lobos; and wishing, as far as practicable, to keep regiments of the 
same State together, the 2d Pennsylvania was designate^! (in orders 
No. 6) to follow r , making the four regiments. This regiment and 
the 2d Mississippi were then known to be at New Orleans, where 
they have been detained, I learn, by an unusual degree of sick¬ 
ness. When the latter comes up, it will go, under that order, to 
join the 1st Mississippi regiment, with Major General Taylor. 

u But a fifth, the South Carolina regiment, has, by some mistake 
at New- Orleans, sailed, I learn, direct from Mobile for Lobos. 
This I do not now regret, as information received yesterday makes 


Ex. Doc. No. 56 355 


it necessary that the expedition I am to conduct should be aug¬ 
mented to the utmost within my power.’ 7 

I enclose, herewith, special orders, No. 21, detaching two assist¬ 
ant surgeons, from Matamoros, for service with Brigadier General 
Worth’s division. The great deficiency of medical officers with the 
troops rendered this order necessary; and the general-in-chief has 
instructed the senior surgeon at Matamoras to supply any necessary 
additional medical aid that may be required at his general hos¬ 
pital, by hiring physicians. Colonel Clarke, commanding at Mata¬ 
moras, and Major Gardner, commanding Point Isabel, have also 
been ordered, at their own request, to join their respective 
regiments. 

Captain Hunter’s company, 2d dragoons, will, as soon as it has 
been mounted, rejoin your command. Colonel Curtis’s Ohio regi¬ 
ment, on the 28th ultimo, also received instructions from the gen¬ 
eral-in-chief to comply with the orders it had received, previous to 
its detention at Matamoras by Major General Scott, 

On the 31st ultimo, the general-in-chief instructed the command¬ 
ing officer at Matamoras not to allow certain goods, belonging to 
the commercial house of Charles Udhe & Co., of Matamoras, 
which goods are now said to be stored in that city, under the care 
of our military authority, to be transferred from their present 
place of deposit, utitil the decision of the Secretary of the 
Treasury, now daily to be expected, shall be received. This order 
was given in consequence of its being alleged that those goods 
were now demanded by the marshal of Texas, in order to be trans¬ 
ferred to Galveston for adjudication, although they were never 
landed on the left bank of the Rio Grande, and therefore, it may 
be, never within the limits of Texas. 

The foregoing statement embraces every case in which the gen- 
eral-in-chief has exercised any direct authority within the limits of 
your command, except in cases heretofore communicated to you, 
and excepting that Major C. Thomas, quartermaster, who accompa¬ 
nied Brigadier General Worth, has been relieved from duty with 
General Worth’s division, and ordered to Matamoras; and that Cap¬ 
tain Cross, A. Q. M., has been assigned to duty with that division. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A . A . A. G. 


P. S. Major General Scott has desired me to add that but one 
transport has yet arrived for the troops to be embarked at this 
place and Tampico, though all are daily expected. 

I have the honor to be, &c., &c., 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A.'A. A. G. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. A.y commanding , fyc. fyc. Src. } Monterey , Mexico. 


A true copy. 


wj w. s. bliss; 

a. a. g: 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


356 

[No. 11.] Head-quarters of the Army, 

Brassos Santiago , February 13, 1847. 

Sir: I am instructed by Major General Scott to say, that by the 
time Captain Washington’s harnessed battery, of the 4th artillery, 
can reach Vera Cruz, he hopes to be in a condition to advance into 
the interior of Mexico, when the battery will be highly useful to 
him. He desires, therefore, that you will order that company to 
this place, to follow him. 

I am further instructed to say, that the general is still in the 
midst of uncertainties concerning the approach of new volunteers, 
transports, ordnance, ordnance stores, &c. He is very desirous of 
being at Tampico, where his presence is much needed, as well as at 
Lobos; but he cannot leave this place, until it is at least certain 
that a sufficient number of transports will arrive for the embarka¬ 
tion of Brevet Brigadier General Worth’s brigade. But one regi¬ 
ment, the 8th, or rather the greater part of it, has yet been em¬ 
barked. Four ships are, however, reported as off this bar, although 
they have not yet come to anchor. Should they prove to be trans¬ 
ports, the general-in-chief hopes that Brevet Brigadier General 
Worth’s brigade may be embarked in a few days, and that he, with 
some 300 men, will be able to leave here in the steamer Massachu¬ 
setts to-morrow. 

Before leaving Washington in November last, the general-in¬ 
chief had fixed upon the 15th of January as the day on which it 
was desirable that transport ships, with supplies, &c., for his ex¬ 
pedition, should be here. Ten of those transports were to come 
from the Atlantic ports, and the remainder from New Orleans. But 
one has yet arrived, (from New Orleans,) and that w^is at once 
despatched with the 8th infantry to Lobos. The delay of those from 
the Atlantic ports renders it now unsafe to count upon them, and 
every effort has, consequently, been made to render vessels off the 
Brassos available for this purpose; Procuring water cask's, in suffi¬ 
cient numbers, has been one great difficulty, which has only been 
partially surmounted. By our last advices from New Orleans, re< 
ceived the 9th instant, the ships, after great delays in getting crews, 
were nearly ready to sail, so that we may confidently hope that a 
part of the transports will not be much longer delayed. 

The ordnance and ordnance stores for the contemplated expedi¬ 
tion are yet mostly behind. 

You will have received general orders, Nos. 15, 16, and 17, dated 
respectively the 9th, 11th, and 12th, instant. Captain Merchant’s 
company, required by general orders, [No. 15, to replace Captain 
Lowd’s at Fort Brown, has just gone up the Rio Grande. 

The special orders, herewith, together with the enclosed copy of 
a letter to Colonel Drake, commanding at Matamoras, embrace all 
other cases in which the general-in-chief has exercised any direct 
authority over your command, since the date of my letter of the 
5th instant. 

The detachment of Lieutenant Colonel May’s squadron of dra¬ 
goons, brought by Brevet Brigadier General Worth to the mouth of 
the Rio Grande, uncler the supposition that the squadron would soon 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


357 


follow, the general-in-chief has ordered to join their companies at 
Monterey; and he was pleased to learn, through Captain Graham, 
your intention that the detachment of Kearny’s troop, left behind, 
should soon follow their company. The quartermaster at this place 
will have instructions to forward all detachments, belonging to the 
more immediate command of Major General Scott, that have been 
separated from their regiments or companies, upon their arrival 
here. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient 
servant, 

H. L. SCOTT, 

A. A. A. General. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. Army , commanding, fyc., fyc., Monterey .* 

A true copy. 

W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. G. 


[No. 12.] Head-quarters, Army' of Occupation, 

Agua JVueva, February 13, 1847. 

Sir: The joint resolution of Congress, of which I enclose here¬ 
with a copy,, was transmitted by the President on the 19th of No¬ 
vember, and received by me while en route to Victoria. Nearly all 
the troops interested in the resolution being now withdrawn from 
my immediate command, I cannot comply with the instructions of 
the President, to communicate to them the first two resolutions. It 
still seems proper that they should find a place in the records of 
the different regiments and corps, and I have accordingly to request 
that you will promulgate, in such manner as Major General Scott 
may approve, the resolutions in question, to all the troops serving 
under his orders that participated in the service of the army on the 
Rio Grande in May last. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army, commanding, 

Lieutenant H. L. Scott, 

A. D. C. or Chief of the Staff, 

Major General Scott’s Head-quarters, 

Expedition against Vera Cruz . 


A true copy. 


W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. G. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


358 

[No. 13.] “ Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Agua Nueva , March 1, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to report, for the information of the ge¬ 
neral-in-chief, that having received information which lefi no doubt 
that the enemy was assembling in very heavy force at Encarnacion, 
30 miles in my front, under the immediate orders of General Santa 
Anna, I broke up my camp at this place, on the 21st of February, 
and took up a strong position, about seven miles in front of Sal¬ 
tillo. The enemy made his appearance on the 22d, and at 11 
o’clock of that day I received from General Santa Anna a summons 
to surrender at discretion, which I declined. The action w r as com¬ 
menced in the afternoon, between the light troops on the left of 
our position, and was resumed the following morning; the enemy 
making a h$avy effort to force our left flank. A succession of ob¬ 
stinate contests ensued, until night put an end to the battle. The 
enemy was repulsed in every effort to force our line, and finally 
withdrew, under cover of the night, to the position of Agua Nueva. 
His rear column evacuated this place on the 27th of February, and 
his entire army is now in retreat towards San Luis, greatly disor¬ 
ganized. It is not probable that he will make another effort in this 
direction, or that the troops which fought here, and which are com¬ 
pletely demoralized, can render efficient service at any other point. 

Our force in the field, at the commencement of the action, did 
not exceed 4,500 men, while that of the enemy, as stated by Ge¬ 
neral Santa Anna in his summons, and confirmed from many sources, 
was 20,000, with from 15 to 20 pieces of artillery, some of them of 
heavy calibre. Our loss, so far as ascertained, is 264 killed, 450 
wounded, s and 26 missing; that of the enemy is moderately esti¬ 
mated at 1,500 killed and wounded, and will probably reach 2,000, 
besides a great number of deserters. We took a sufficient number 
of prisoners, to ransom all those now in the hands of the Mexicans, 
and arrangements for their exchange have been made. 

Among our killed are, many officers of distinguished merit: Cap¬ 
tain Lincoln, assistant adjutant general, Colonel Hardin, Illinois 
volunteers, Colonel McKee., and Lieutenant Colonel Clay, Kentucky 
volunteers, and Colonel Yell, Arkansas volunteers, are the most 
conspicuous. Captain Lincoln was the only regular officer killed. 
Captain Steen, 1st dragoons, and Lieutenant French, 3d artillery, 
were severely wounded. I write in haste, as the express is about 
leaving. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOft, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding. 

Lieutenant H. L. Scott, 

A . D. C., or Chief of the Staff, 

Major General Scott’s Head-quarters. 

A true copy. 

W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. G. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


359 


[No. 14.j Head-quarter^, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , March 20, 1847. 

Sir: In reply to so much of your communication of February 13 
as relates to despatching Captain Washington’s battery to Yera 
Cruz, I beg leave to say that I cannot possibly dispense with the 
services of that battery on this line, and must, therefore, decline 
sending it as desired. With the enemy still in our front, that bat¬ 
tery is as essential to us, as it was in the action of February 23, 
when We should inevitably have been defeated, had our artillery 
been less numerous or less efficient than it was. 

I am. sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,^ 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A., commanding . 

Lieutenant H. L. Scott, 

A. D. C.j or Chief of the Staff , 

Maj. Gen . Scott’s Head-quarters , Mexico . 


[No. 15.] Head-quarters of the Army, 

Camp Washington , before Vera m Cruz , March 17, 1847. 

General: I am instructed by the general-in-chief to transmit his 
general orders announcing to this army your recent victory over 
Santa Anna. The general-in-chief desires briefly to add his hearty 
congratulations to yourself and army; for comment on such glo¬ 
rious results would be superfluous. 

In the afternoon of the 9th instant, the army before Yera Cruz 
effected a descent on the coast near Sacrificios, from the open sea, 
and about two and a half miles from the city and castle of Yera 
Cruz, under the ineffectual fire of both. No direct opposition was 
offered at the landing; but the troops had some skirmishing in 
faking up the line of investment. 

At the time of landing, not one wagon or mule was up, and but 
two-sevenths of the ordnance. Since then, we have had norther 
upon norther to contend with, and have only succeeded in landing 
subsistence for immediate consumption, some camp equipage, and 
the light batteries. 

To-day is clear, and we hope rapidly to complete the necessary 
work preliminary to opening our batteries upon the town and 
castle. Great labors have already been performed by the troops in 
opening and occupying our lines of seven miles in extent over dif* 
ficult sand hills and through dense chapparal. 

From intercepted despatches we learn that the enemy number 
5,000 men in Yera Cruz, besides the garrison of the castle, and are 
scant of provisions in the former. The castle has supplies for somg 
weeks. 

The garrison left at Tampico consists of the Louisiana regiment, 
Maryland and District of Columbia battalion, and a company of 
United States artillery, about 1,200 in all, under Colonel Gates, 3d 
artillery. 




360 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


We have had authentic acc<5unts of a revolution in the city of 
Mexico, and the discord between the contending factions seems as 
yet not to be allayed. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. L. SCOTT, A . A . A. G. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. Army , commanding , fyc. fyc. fyc. 

A true copy: received April 12. 

W. W. S. BLISS, A . A. G. 


[No. 16.] Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , April 16, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully acknowledge the receipt of your communica¬ 
tion of March 17, with which we likewise received authentic intel¬ 
ligence of the capture of Vera Cruz. 

As I consider it possible that the general-in-chief may have ex¬ 
pected offensive operations on my part in the direction of San Luis, 
after the result of the battle of Buena Vista, I desireTo state that 
without a nucleus, say, 2* or 3,000 men, of regulaninfantry, inured 
to war, such operations over an extensive line, destitute of supplies, 
would in my judgment have been uncertain and hazardous in the 
extreme. This opinion has been communicated to the Department 
of War. 

But leaving aside considerations growing out of the description 
of troops, it is proper to remark that a large force is now constantly 
employed in keeping open our communications with {he Rio 
Grande, which were at one time entirely cut off by the cavalry of 
General Urrea. Heavy escorts of cavalry and foot, with occasion¬ 
ally a piece of artillery, are sent with the weekly trains, thus with¬ 
drawing a large and efficient force from any service in front 

I trust, however, that the recent service of this army in front of 
Saltillo, though of a defensive character, will yet have had the 
effect of a strong diversion in favor of the operations from Vera 
Cruz. 

I have the gratification to report that a column of Missouri 
volunteers, under Colonel Doniphan, entered Chihuahua on the 1st 
of March, after defeating the Mexican troops with great slaughter 
on the previous day, at the Sacramento river. Our force was but 
924 men, with 6 pieces of volunteer artillery, under Major Clark 
and Captain Weightman. The Mexicans numbered from 3,500 to 
4,000, and occupied an entrenched position with 10 pieces of 
artillery. Their loss was 300 killed and 500 wounded, while ours 
was very trifling—1 man killed, 1 mortally^ and 7 otherwise 
wounded. This disparity of loss seems incredible; but I have it 
from the official report of Colonel Doniphan. That officer was 
ordered to report to General Wool, and his men are greatly in want 
of supplies. I have ordered the command to Saltillo, deeming this 






Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


361 


their best route to the United States. It has become, therefore, a 
matter of necessity to evacuate Chihuahua. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 
Lieut. H. L. Scott, A . A. A. G ., 

Major General Scott’s Head-quarters . 

A true copy. 

W. W. S. BLISS, A. A . G. 


[No. 17.] * Jalapa, April 24, 1847. 

My dear General: I am wishing to communicate with you and 
in the smallest space. I hear with joy that you are at San Luis de 
Potosi, and, perhaps, in full march near the capital. May continued 
success attend you ! This army has added something to the glory 
obtained by yours. General orders, No. 80, I hope to send with 
this note. Delayed at Vera.Cruz by the want of transportation, we 
began to advance the 8th instant, and obtained, the 18th, at the 
pass of Cerro Gordo, (21 miles below,) a signal victory; 3,000 pri¬ 
soners and twice as many small arms, 43 pieces of artillery, 7 
colors, 5 generals, (besides one killed,) ammunition, &c., &c. Your 
old prisoner, La Vega, is gone again to the United States. Santa 
Anna, Canalizo, Ampudia, &c., &c., escaped. The pursuit' was 
vigorous. Some stores were taken here; some abandoned artillery, 
at La Hoya, a terrible pass, 10 miles ahead; and at Perote 66 pieces, 
ammunition, &c., &c. Mexico has no longer an army. The foot 
is nearly dissolved, or certainly much dispersed, and perhaps there 
are not 15 guns in Mexico, and on this side. Our advance is in 
the castle of Perote. Thence to the capital hardly a show of re-* 
sistance is to be expected. Yet we cannot, at once, advance in 
force. We are obliged to look to the rear. The yellow fever at 
Vera Cruz and on the road, 50 miles this way, may soon cut us off 
from our depot. Deep sand, disease and bands of exasperated 
rancheros constitute difficulties. With an inadequate train we are 
endeavoring to get here essentials, before heat and disease Gut us 
off from Vera Cruz. Our cavalry is already meagre, and, from es¬ 
corting, becoming daily more so. Worth, however, will march 
from Perote upon Puebla, in a day or two, to be replaced by Pat¬ 
terson or Twiggs. We shall follow, and be with the advance, as 
soon as the essentials are secured; ammunition, medicines, clothing, 
(all behind,) salt, &c., &c. A small siege train, and half ammuni¬ 
tion, are up. We must subsist on the country, paying for what is 
brought in, &c. I am much embarrassed with the old volunteers, 
in reference to their return, through the yellow tevcr / \f late in 
May, or in June, and I am wholly ignorant of the approach oi the 
new regiments lately authorized. The discharge of the former, 
depends on the approach of the latter, and the movement of each 
may be arrested by the vomito. Yet depots, along a line of 275 



362 


Ex. Doe. No. 56. 


miles, will be needed, and a competent fighting force at the headof 
operations. When I may advance beyond Puebla, is therefore yet 
doubtful. I shall feel my way according to information. The re 
sources of the country are not abundant, or not near the road, ex¬ 
cept to a limited extent. If I were sure that you were at San Luis 
de Potosi, and in a condition to-advance, I should see my way rather 
better. I do not mean in respect to fighting dangers, for I doubt 
whet> er we (or either of us) will have another siege or battle; but 
in respect to overtures for a peace or an armistice. As yet no such 
overture has been heard of. An armistice, if strictly observed by 
the enemy, would give security to our line of communications with 
main depots, but still liable to be cut off from the principal and 
nearer one (Vera Cruz) by yellow fever there, and for fifty miles 
this side. Within that distance I doubt whether I can hazard a 
depot or garrison. I suppose that your occupation of San Luis de 
Potosi and advances upon the capital might increase the chances 
of a peace or an armistice; but many intelligent persons believe 
that to occupy the capital and fifty other important points would 
not end the war, and that the enemy, with an army, would still 
hold out and operate against our trains, small parties and stragglers,, 
with rancheros on the guerilla plan. Let. me hear from you by the 
return of the bearer, and by others as you may. I am only allowed 
this small piece of paper to be concealed. 

Most truly yours, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Major General Taylor, Sfc., #c., fyc. 

A true copy: received May 14. 


W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. G. 


{No. 18.] Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

' Camp near Monterey , May 16, 1847. 

Sir: I had the honor, on the 14th instant, to receive the commu¬ 
nication of Major General Scott, dated April 24th, at Jalapa. It 
was brought as far as Tampico by a courier, and despatched thence 
via the Brossos and Camargo. I am compelled likewise to send 
my afiswer by the Brassos. 

I beg you to convey to Major General Scott my sincerest con¬ 
gratulations, and those of this division of the army, upon the bril¬ 
liant victory of Cerro Gordo. I had the satisfaction to announce 
it in orders on the 8th instant, having that day seen the official re¬ 
port of General Canalizo. We all trust that this decisive blow 
may incline the enemy to peace. 

I regret to find that the general-in-chief seems to have expected 
an early forward movement of this column upon San Luis Potosi. 
In my communication of April 16th, I distinctly said that such 
movement was not to be expected with the means then at my dis¬ 
posal. It will be recollected that nearly my entire force at that 
.time consisted of twelve months’ volunteers, save a few companies 
of regular artillery and dragoons. The four regiments of volun- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


363 


teer infantry for the war , assigned to this line, were extremely 
tardy in their arrival, and one of.them (2d Mississippi) was and 
still is disabled by disease. Of the Texas cavalry, but three com¬ 
panies have been raised. My whole dependence, then, has been 
upon the twelve months’ volunteers. Admitting that it were pru¬ 
dent to penetrate as far as San Luis, with an infantry force of that 
description, yet the early period of their discharge would have im¬ 
posed the necessity of a speedy return and consequent evacuation 
of the place. An occupation, under such circumstances, would of 
course lead to no good result, and I deemed it best to make no 
demonstration upon San Luis until we should be prepared to hold 
it permanently. 

I have adverted above only to the difficulties arising from the 
description of troops on this line and their early discharge. Other 
and serious obstacles to a march on San Luis exist at this time, 
there being a scarcity of water on the road, and absolutely no for¬ 
age or grass for our animals. With every disposition, therefore, 
to co-operate with the general-in-chief, and contribute, however 
little, to the common result, I have so far been prevented by cir¬ 
cumstances from making any forward movement. 

The new regular regiments have begun to arrive at the Brassos. 
To enable us to hold this point and Saltillo, after the departure of 
the twelve months’ volunteers, (now beginning to fall back,) I 
have been obliged to call on Brigadier General Cadwalader, com¬ 
manding these new levies, for two regiments to hold the river. 
Until I learn what portion of this additional force will be placed 
under my orders for operations in this direction, I shall make no 
further draft upon it, presuming that at least some of the regiments 
will receive orders for Vera Cruz. In the meantime, General Cad¬ 
walader is instructed to establish a healthy camp of instruction, 
perhaps near Mier, and to obey promptly and to the fullest extent 
any requisition for troops which he may receive from General 
Scott’s head-quarters. 

If troops enough shall be placed under my orders to enable me 
to organize a column of 6,000 men, I will advance on San Luis as 
soon as I can be sure of finding forage or at least grass on the 
route. Our cavalry and artillery are getting into excellent condi¬ 
tion for service. 

All is quiet in this quarter. Colonel Doniphan’s command is 
near Saltillo, his advance being at Parras on the 11th instant. 
The approaching discharge of his men obliged him to evacuate 
Chihuahua. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A.) commanding. 

Lieutenant H. L. Scott, 

A. Asst. Adj. Gen., Major General ScotVs 

Head-quarters^ via Vera Cruz. 

A true copy. 

W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. G. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


364 

[No. 19.] Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , May 23, 1847. 

Sir: I beg leave to call your attention to the condition of some 
of the artillery companies serving on this line in regard to subal¬ 
terns, and to request that the general-in-chief will order such as¬ 
signments and transfers as will render efficient at least the harness¬ 
ed batteries. 

1. Captain Sherman’s battery (3d artillery) has but one of its 
first lieutenants (Brevet Captain Thomas) serving with it. Lieu¬ 
tenant Reynolds, who is doing duty in that capacity, belongs to 
another company. Lieutenant Beckwith, the junior first lieutenant, 
is understood to be at Tampico. Second Lieutenant French is ab¬ 
sent, wounded. This battery is now increased to the full comple¬ 
ment of men and pieces, and requires at least three subalterns. 

2. Brevet Major Braggs’s battery (3d artillery) has but one of its 
proper subalterns (Captain Shover) serving with it, and he will be 
removed by promotion in the place of Major Vinton. Lieutenant 
Kilburn, though doing duty with the battery, does not belong to it. 
First Lieutenant Johnson (R. W.) and Second Lieutenant Andrews 
(Geo. F.) have never joined. I respectfully request that they may 
be ordered at once to join, and that Lieutenant Kilburn may be 
permanently transferred to the company in place of the first lieuten¬ 
ant promoted, vice Shover. This battery has likewise been in¬ 
creased to its complement of men and guns. 

3. Captain Deas’s battery (4thartillery) has both of its first lieu¬ 
tenant (O’Brien and Brent) transferred to the staff. I have to re¬ 
quest that two active subalterns of that grade be transferred to the 
company, one of which might be first Lieutenant Whiting, now do¬ 
ing duty with it. 

4. Companies C and E, 1st artillery, are also defficient in officers, 
particularly the former, which has but one subaltern serving with 
it, (Lieutenant Bowen,) and he belongs to another company. 

I shall request the adjutant general to assign a brevet second 
lieutenant from the new class to each of the above companies, or at 
any rate the first three. In the meantime, I have been compelled 
to retain on duty on this line several of the officers transferred to 
the staff, and all those transferred to companies serving elsewhere, 
having no means of even temporarily filling their places. The ne¬ 
cessity of a full complement of officers in the batteries is greatly 
increased by the fact that they have been filled up by the arrival 
of recruits to the limit allowed by law. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding . 

Lieutenant H. L. Scott, 

Acting Asst. Adj, Gen ., Major General Scoffs, 

Head-quarters , via Vera Cruz. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 49. 


365 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , June 8, 1847. 

Sir: In reply to so much of your communication of May 5th, as 
relates to the discharge of the 12 months’ volunteers, I have re¬ 
spectfully to state that the want of funds to pay all those volun¬ 
teers here, or on the Rio Grande, and the difficulty of controlling 
them after the expiration of their term of service, rendered it ne¬ 
cessary to take early measures for their discharge in New Orleans 
as I have already had occasion to report, particularly in my com¬ 
munication of May 9th, to which I beg leave to refer you. 

Captain Pike’s squadron of Arkansas cavalry has been discharged 
at this place, and the 1st and 2d regiments of Illinois volunteers 
will be mustered out at Camargo. The remainder of the Arkansas 
regiment will likewise be discharged at Camargo, where there will 
be sufficient funds for the paj%ient of these corps. All the other 
12*months’ regiments are now on their way to New Orleans under 
previous orders. 

In view of the instructions of the Secretary of War of May 6th, 
I cannot doubt that my course in ordering the discharge of these 
volunteers will be approved by the department. 

But one company has been organized from the 12 months’ regi¬ 
ments for service during the war. This is a mounted company, 
raised chiefly from the Arkansas cavalry, and commanded by Cap¬ 
tain Mears, late lieutenant colonel of that regiment. It has been 
accepted, and mustered under the direction of General Wool. 

The Texas volunteers ordered out for six months, under the call 
of Colonel Curtis, as reported in my ^communication of May 27th 
were met, by ray order, near the river Nueces, and, as I am unoffi¬ 
cially advised, turned back to San Antonio. One company, how¬ 
ever, came to this place, but I have informed the captain that it 
cannot be received. Another company, which preceded the regi- 
under under Colonel Hays, was not met by the messenger, 
and arrived here several days since. It will probably accept ser¬ 
vice for the war, and I am disposed, under all the circumstances 
to receive it. This, with Chevallie’s battalion, will make Jive com¬ 
panies of horse from Texas, which, I perceive, is the force allotted 
to me from that State in the adjutant general’s memorandum of 
April 26th. 

I beg that no more mounted troops may be sent me from Texas. 
With the regular dragoons and volunteer horse designed for this 
line, (as by the memorandum above cited,) I shall have a cavalry 
force abundantly large for our purposes, and, indeed, too large to 
be conveniently foraged. I make this request because, I under¬ 
stand, an expectation exists that a much larger force from Texas 
will be employed. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the army , Washington , D. C. 


366 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


No. 50. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , June 8, 1847. 

Sir: In obedience to your instructions of May 10th, I have given 
orders for the re-muster of McCulloch’s company for the war, or 
to discharge it, in caSe its members should be unwilling to engage 
for that term. 

I have, perhaps, been remiss in not reporting the circumstances 
which induced me to accept the services of that company for the 
limited term of six months. Major McCulloch joined me with 
some twenty picked men, a very short time before the battle of 
Buena Yista, and when his own valuable services as a partizan, 
and spy, were greatly needed. His men, however, were unwilling 
to engage even for twelve months, and, after much hesitation, I de¬ 
termined to accept them for the perio # d of six; trusting that the pe¬ 
culiar necessity for their services would justify this departure from 
the prescriptions of the law. The services rendered by Ma^jor 
McCulloch and his men, particularly in reconnoitering the enemy’s 
camp at Encarnacion, and advising us certainly of his presence 
there, were of the highest importance. 

In relation to the excess of officers, I would remark, that when 
the company was mustered, it was expected that it would soon be 
filled up; and also, that Major McCulloch, though mustered as cap¬ 
tain, was yet a major in the volunteer staff, and drew pay as such. 
He has now been some time detached, and the company is com¬ 
manded by a lieutenant. 

If any portion of the company shall accept service for the war, 
it will probably be united with the company referred to in my com¬ 
munication, No. 49, of this date. 

I am, sir, &c., 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding . 

The Adjutant General 


Of the army , Washington. 


D. C. 


No. 51. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , June 8, 1847. 

Sir: In reply to your communication of May 8th, relative to the 
re-organization of company G, 2d dragoons, I would respectfully 
suggest Point Isabel, or Metamoras, as a suitable position for the 
purpose; that is, if it be intended to assign the company to this 
line of operations. Captain Howe has, doubtless, reported to you, 
under my instructions, referred to in my letter of May 27th. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General 'U. S. A. , commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the army , Washington, D, C . 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 52. 


367 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , June 16, 1847. 

Sir: The twelve months’ volunteers being now in route to New 
Orleans and Camargo for muster and discharge, I have turned my 
attention to the best disposition to be made of the troops destined 
for this line, preparatory to operations. 

The force designed for the present occupation of Buena Vista, un¬ 
der the orders of Brigadier General Wool, will very soon be in posi¬ 
tion at that place. It comprises 6 companies of regulars, (2d dra¬ 
goons and 4th artillery,) 4 companies volunteer horse, (1st Arkansas 
and 3d Texas,) and Brigadier General Marshall’s brigade—in all, 
say 2,500 men. After leaving the minimum garrrison here, and at 
other points in rear, I have ordered the concentration, in a healthy 
camp near Mier, of all the troops, regular and volunteer, that are 
now or may arrive on the Rio Grande. I respectfully^refer you to 
my u orders” No. 68, herewith, for the details of this arrangement. 
Mier has been selected in preference to Carmargo, as presenting 
much the best prospect of health, while at the same time it covers 
the line to this place. 

I have heard as yet of the arrival of none of the new volunteers, 
and but a portion of the new regulars, but 1 presume by this time, 
that nearly all the latter, and a portion, at least, of the former, 
have reached the Brassos, our last date from which point is May 
26th. Taking the experience of last year as a basis, and it has so 
far been confirmed, the entire force to be on this line, as exhibited 
by your memorandum, and including the few companies of veteran 
troops, will not, say by the 15th of August, exceed 8,000 effec¬ 
tives, if indeed it reach that number. The deduction of 15 per 
cent, from the tabular strength, is quite too small at this season of 
the year; 30 per cent, would give a far more accurate result, and 
will be exceeded in some regiments, as the Mississippi, and, prob¬ 
ably, North Carolina. 

In my communication of May 28th, I had occasion to present 
my views in relation to operations against San Luis Potosi; at 
least, in regard to the minimum force with which I thought they 
could be undertaken. I shall prepare the force, under my orders, 
for service in that direction, should it be found expedient and prac¬ 
ticable thus to operate; but I may be permitted to question the 
utility of moving, at very heavy expense, over an extremely long 
line, and having no communication with the main column opera¬ 
ting from Vera Cruz. If I were called upon to make a suggestion 
on the general subject of operations against Mexico, it would cer. 
tainly be to hold in this quarter a defensive line, and throw all 
the remaining troops into the other column. 

Our last date from General Scott’s column is derived from the 
Mexican journals, and is May 12th; not as late, by one day, as the 
dates from Washington. There is absolutely no communication 
across the country, and by way of the JBrassos it is exceedingly 
dilatory. 


368 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


We learn nothing of interest from the interior on which we can 
rely. An attempt has been made, or is now making, to operate on 
the guerrilla plan in the states of Tamaulipas and New Leon; but 
it will, I think, prove abortive. 

I am, sir, &c., 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. army , commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

of the army , Washington •, D. C. 


No. 53. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , June 16, 1847. 

Sir: I have ordered the muster of the company of mounted 
Texas volunteers, alluded to in my letter of June 8th. It is en¬ 
rolled for the war, and commanded by Captain H. W. Baylor . 
Major McCulloch’s company has been discharged, and we have 
now five companies of Texas horse, the exact number laid down 
in your memorandum of April 26th. 

I deeply regret to report that many of the twelve months’ vol¬ 
unteers, in their route hence to the lower Rio Grande, have com¬ 
mitted extensive depredations and outrages upon the peaceful in¬ 
habitants. There is scarcely a form of crime that has not been re¬ 
ported to me as committed by them; but they have passed beyond 
my reach, and even were they here, it would be found next to im¬ 
possible to detect the individuals who thus disgrace their colors 
and their country. Were it possible to rouse the Mexican people 
to resistance, no more effectual plan could be devised than J:he very 
one pursued by some of our volunteer regiments now about to be 
discharged. 

The volunteers for the war, so far, give an earnest of better con¬ 
duct, with the exception of the companies of Texas horse. Of the 
infantry I have had little or no complaint; but the mounted men 
from.Texas have scarcely made one expedition without unwarrant¬ 
ably killing a Mexican. I have, in consequence, ordered Major 
Chevallie’s command to Saltillo, where it can do less mischief 
than here, and where its services, moreover, are wanted. The con¬ 
stant recurrence of such atrocities, which I have' been reluctant to 
report to the department, is my motive for requesting that no more 
troops may be sent to this column from the State of Texas. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your very obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. army , commanding . 

The Adjutant General 

of the army , Washington , D. C. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 54. 


369 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , June 16, 1847. 

Sir: In reply to so much of your communication of May 5th, 
and of the Secretary’s of May 6th, as relates to the despatch to 
me from the Department of War on the 25th of November, I have 
respectfully to state that that despatch was never received—the 
copy enclosed in the letter of the Secretary, of May 6th, being the 
first official intimation of its existence, though it had previously 
reached my camp through the newspapers. I can offer no conjec¬ 
ture as to the fate of the original communication. 

I have respectfully to acknowledge your communication of May 
8th, and a copy of your circular to the colonels of volunteer regi¬ 
ments, dated May 10th. 

We have no later dates from the United States than those re¬ 
ceived June 2d, viz: to May 13th, from Washington. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding . 

The Adjutant General 

of the Army , Washington, D. C. 


No. 56. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , June 23, 1847. 

Sir: I have respectfully to report that the battalion of the Vir¬ 
ginia regiment, which has been some time in garrison in Monterey, 
was relieved yesterday by six companies of the Massachusetts 
regiment, and immediately took up the line of march for Buena 
Vista. All the troops intended for the present occupation of that 
position are now beyond Monterey, except two companies of the 
North Carolina regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel F.agg, which 
are expected here to-day, and will continue their route to the 
front. 

At the last dates from below, nine companies of the 16th infantry 
and three of the 10th were on the Rio Grande; a portion also of 
the 3d dragoons, but none of the 13th infantry or of the new 
volunteers. 

I can communicate nothing of interest from the interior, our 
latest advices from Major General Scott’s column being, as usual, 
through New Orleans. All is tranquil in this part of the country. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General TJ. S. A ., commanding . 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


24 




370 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 57. 


Head quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , June 30, 1847. 


Sir: I have respectfully to report that nothing of importance 
has occurred within the limits of my command since my last 
despatch of June 23d. 

The 1st and 2d regiments of Illinois infantry, and eight compa¬ 
nies of the Arkansas cavalry, have been discharged and paid at 
Camargo. The company of Texas foot volunteers will be mustered 
out here to-morrow, and Captain Gray’s company of Texas horse 
will be discharged in a week or two at Camargo; thus completing 
the muster and discharge of all the- 12 months’ volunteers serving 
on this line. 

Lieutenant Colonel Fagg’s command, the last detachment des¬ 
tined for the present occupation of Buena Yista, is now at or near 
that place. I learn that the troops in front enjoy good health. 

A site for a camp of instruction has been selected by Colonel 
Belknap near Mier, and will be occupied immediately by such de¬ 
tachments of the new regiments, destined for this line, as may be 
ready for the movement. It is confidently hoped that the troops in 
that camp will escape, in a great measure, such excessive sickness 
as prevailed last year at Camargo, and which is now beginning to 
be felt there. The 16th infantry, at last reports, had lost 10 men, 
and had 147 on the sick list. 

I have had no reports since my last despatch of the arrival of 
troops for this column. 

This part of the country is entirely tranquil. The people who 
had abandoned their villages and ranchos are fast returning to 
them, and seem not at all disposed to engage in any warfare, guer¬ 
rilla or other. The crops throughout the country are good and 
promise an abundant harvest. 

From the interior we have nothing interesting and authentic 
which will not much sooner reach Washington from the other 
column. Our last date from the city of Mexico is June 4th; from 
San Luis, June 14th. 

I am, sir, &c., 


Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General V. S. A ., commanding. 
The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington) D. C. 


No. 58. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , July 6, 1847. 

Sir: I have nothing of interest to report from this quarter, where 
everything remains tranquil. Our dates from the interior are old, 
and the intelligence not worth communicating. 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


371 


I have to acknowledge your communication of June 7th, u gen¬ 
eral orders,” No. 22, and u special orders,” Nos. 21 and 23. 

I am, sir, &c., 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding . 
The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 59. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , July 13, 1847. 

Sir: Understanding from the public prints, that the American 
prisoners of war, captured by the Mexicans at different times, have 
not been released, I deem it proper to transmit, for the information 
of the department, the enclosed papers, viz: 

No. 1. List of Mexican prisoners of war, captured at and after 
the battle of Buena Yista, showing the number exchanged, &c. 

No. 2. List of Mexican prisoners released on parole, April 28, 
1847, (A) wounded* (B) fit for duty. 

No. 3. Quantity and value of subsistence issued to Mexican pris¬ 
oners. 

No. 4. List of American prisoners of war, captured at different 
times. 

It will be seen by these documents that ample provision was 
made for the exchange of all the American prisoners known to be 
in the hands of the Mexicans, and the assurance was given by 
Captain Fanlac, the Mexican officer charged with the details of the 
arrangement, that no time would be lost in setting them at liberty. 
The few captured at the battle and shortly before, were accordingly 
promptly released, and no doubt was entertained that the release 
of those in San Luis and in Mexico would immediately follow. 

At the date of the arrangement in question, (February 25th,) it 
could not, of course, be knowm that a considerable party had been 
captured by General Urrea, near Marin, on the day previous, but it 
was conceded by Captain Faulac, that there would be no difficulty 
in regard to the precise number or rank of those exchanged. All 
who might be prisoners were to be set at liberty; such was the 
understanding at the time, and I need hardly express my surprise 
that the entire agreement has been so signally violated. 

I beg leave, also, to forward Colonel Lane’s report of the ser¬ 
vices of his regiment, (3d Indiana,) at the battle of Buena Yista. 
It was rendered to the head-quarters as the regiment was about 
marching to the Brassos, for embarkation to New Orleans. 

I am, sir, &c., . 

Z. TAYLOR, 

% Major Gen. U. S. A. Com. 

The Adjutant Generpal 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 





372 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


[No. 3.] —Statement showing the quantity and value of subsistence 
issued to Mexican prisoners of war captured at the battle of Bu¬ 
ena Vista , February 23, 1847, and released on their parole , April 
28, 1847. 


By whom and where issued. 

Articles. 

No. of 
rations. 

Value. 

Andrew R. Potts, agent subsistence 




department, Buena Yista.. 

Pork. 

750 

$56 25 

Fresh beef . 

100 

7 50 


Rice. 

500 

4 50 


Hard bread. 

750 

48 75 


Coffee. 

500 

3 75 


Sugar. 

500 

7 50 


Vinegar.... 

200 

1 00 


Candles .... 

300 

1 62 


Soap....... 

300 

1 20 

Captain J. L. Donaldson, Saltillo... 

Salt. 

Complete ra¬ 

75 

1 20 

133 27 

tions . 

Expense sun¬ 

1,168 

233 60 


dry times . 


15 00 

381 87 


Inspector General’s Department, 

Buena Vista , Mexico , April 28, 1847. 

S. CHURCHILL, 
Inspector General. 


\ 


























Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


373 


[No. 4.] —List of the officers , nn-commissioned officers , and pri¬ 
vates of the army of the United States who have been captured 
by the Mexican forces , viz: 

CAPTURED BY GENERAL MINON, NEAR HEDIENDA-ORDERED TO BE 

RELEASED. 


Name. 

Rank. 

Regiment. 

J. S. Sturgis. 

Lieutenant . 

2d dragoons. 

One private—name not known. 

Private..... 

do 


CAPTURED ON THE 23d INSTANT, AND RELEASED ON THE 24TH. 


Elias Leringood ... 

Private ..... 

3d artillery 
Ark. rifles. 

John LpwpI 1 pn... 

do...... 

Elisha Hain . , , t . 111 . t ... ...... 

do . 

do 

John T). Petit .. tTT . 

do . 

2d Ill. vols 

Joseph Evans T tT .. ...... ... 

do . 

do 

James C. Thorp t .. 

do . 

do 




CAPTURED ON THE 27th OF JANUARY, 1847, NEAR RANCHE PRADO, 


BETWEEN PALMAS AND POTOSI. 

*% 

W. J. Heady. 

Captain .... 

Ken. rifles. 

T. Churchill. 

Lieutenant.. 

do 

J. W. Owings .. 

Sergeant . .. 

do 

J. White. 

do. 

do 

James Springer.. 

Corporal . .. 

do 

George Sharp .. 

do ...*•• 

do 

James PCemn .... .... .... 

do . • • • • • 

do 

A Alevandpr. .... 

Private. 

do 

G Burnett ... ..................... 

do. 

do 

J F Ball . 

do.. 

do 

W J Clark . 

do. 

do 

W Dpnnnrmnnrii.. . . . . . . . . 

do.. 

do 

R Thoms ...... .. *»n i * 

do• 

do 

T) W. Leran ... ...... 

do. 

do 

T G Stabman .. 

do. 

do 

J Vidits. 

do ...... 

do 

J Marsh all ... 

do. 

do 

W. Thomas .. 

do. 

do 


Interpreter . 

do 

















































































374 Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

LIST—Continued. 

CAPTURED AT ENCARNACION ON OR ABOUT THE 22d JANUARY, 1847 . 


Name. 


Rank. 


Solon Borland. 

Christopher C. Dumley 

Simeon Cason. 

Charles G. Lyon. 

Oliver P. Bilkey. 

Emasey Brown. 

William Russell. 

Ezekiel P. Martin. 

Charles S. Morney. 

Paul Williams. 

Pulaski Whitten. 

lames Richmond. 

Robert Adams. 

fames Crooks. 

William Edwards. 

Fohn Magnes. 

Hoses Nelson. 

leorge Ramsay. 

N ashington Tuggle.... 
Jeorge Underwood .... 
Villiam P. Reeves .... 

Villiam R. Spugle. 

'homas Webb..... 

imssell Williams. 

oel W. Curtis. 

.ichard Steel. 

ichard Higgins....... 

'hornas Smart. 

William Montgomery .. 

oseph Jester. 

tephen Jester. 

nderson Stinson. 

ndrew Marshall. 

)hn Finley. 

r illiam Holman. 

ohn P. Gaines. 

M. Clay. 

!eorge R. Davidson . .. 

hn Swigert. 

mes Henry. 

G. Bates . ..*.•« .... 
mes Calvert. 


Major.... 
Captain .. 
Sergeant . 

do.... 
Private ... 
do.... 
do... v 
do.... 
do.... 
do.... 
do.... 
Farrier. .. 
Private ... 

do_ 

do.... 
do...., 
do...., 
do ? .... 

do. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

do..... 
do..... 
do..... 

do. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

do.,,.. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

Major. 

Captain .., 
Lieutenant 
Corporal . , 
Musician . , 
Private 
do ...., 


Regiment. 


Ark. rifles, 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 

Ken. rifles, 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 






























































































Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

LIST—Continued.' 


375 


Name. 

Rank. 

Regiment. 

Robert Cochran .. 

Private ..... 

Ken. rifles, 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 

- Dougherty . ,,, t r . ttt 

Jn. 

A. H. Holeman . . t1 

do . 

John A. Scott .. 

do. 

A. Wilkerson ... 

do •••••• 

H. S. Wood . 

f 1 n ..... . 

William Whitehead . t . 

d n. 

do 

do 

Alfred Argabright .... T 11 t T t . 

do...... 

David Barry ..... 

do. 

do 

A. C. Bryan . . .. , , . . 

do ...... 

do 

do 

Benjamin Chapman .. . . 

do. 

John J. Finch .. 

do . 

do 

David E. Jones .. 

do. 

do 

C. E. Moony .. . .... 

do ...... 

do 

William Ratcliff. 

do . 

do 

John Richardson . 

do . 

do 

Jacob Walker ... 

do .*•, •. 

do 

W. S. Paine ... 

Sergeant . .. 
Private . 

do 

B. S. Donell . 

do 

W illiam Funk. ,. , . ...... .... 

do. 

do 

John Scott .. 

do . 

do 

James Kennedy., .. , f .. 

do . 

do 

N. Wail . 

do . 

do 

J. W. Johnson ..... .. . ...» .... 

do .«•••• 

do 

John Wagner.. .... .... 

do ..*••• 

do 

Benjamin R. Myers .... 

do . 

do 

Tsaac Rogers . . . . . 

do . 

do 

Wdlliam Kelly....... ...... .. 

do. 

do 

Harrison Igo.,... .... 

do. 

do 




Official. 


iryin McDowell, 

Aid-de-camp, 


Buena Vista, February 25, 1847. 






































































376 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 60. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , July 13, 1847. 

Sir: Since the date of my despatch of June 6th, little has oc¬ 
curred worthy of report in this quarter. A camp of instruction 
has been established near Mier, and every means will be adopted 
to secure the health of the troops, and promote their efficiency. 

A few depredations are committed on the road by robbers; with 
this exception the country is tranquil. 

We have received dates from the city of Mexico as late as June 
26th, at which time it appears certain that a communication had 
been opened between the Mexican government and General Scott’s 
head-quarters, then at Puebla. 

I have to acknowledge your communication of June 9th; copy of 
your letter to Brigadier General Brooke, of June 1st; a general 
orders” Nos. 23 and 24, and u special orders,” Nos. 22 , 24 , 25, 
and 26; also the communications of the Secretary of War, of 
June 14th and 15th. 


I am, sir, &c., 


Z. TAYLOR, 
Major Gen. U. S. A. Com. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


No. 62. 

Head-quarters, Army of occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , July 27, 1847. 

Sir: On the 21st instant I received a report from Colonel Hays, 
I commanding the regiment of Texas horse, dated at San Antonio, 
I the 13th instant, and covering a copy of the instructions of the 
!; War Department to him, dated June 2d, by which I am for the first 
I time advised that he is under orders to join me with the. whole or 
la part of his command. I have accordingly given him orders, after 
leaving such force as the governor of Texas may deem necessary 
for the protection of the frontier, to proceed with the remainder of 
I his command (say five companies) to Mier and at that point, where 
it may easily be subsisted and foraged, await further orders. 

We remain singularly destitute of intelligence from the interior, 
our last authentic date from the city of Mexico being still June 
26th. By way of Vera Cruz our intelligence is even less recent. 

Great sickness and mortality have prevailed among the volunteer 
troops in front of Saltillo, not owing, probably, to any local cause, 
but rather to the enfeebled and diseased condition of those troops 
before taking up that position. The sickness at Mier, I am happy 
to report, is on the decrease. 

I have to acknowledge your communication of July 2d, and copy 





Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


377 


of one of that date to Colonel Davenport, and (c special orders,” 
No. 30. 


I am, sir, &c., 

Z. 

Major Gen. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 


TAYLOR, 

U. S. ACom. 


No. 63. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , August 3, 1847. 

Sir: I have respectfully to report that when Major McCulloch, 
quartermaster in the volunteer service, was despatched in March 
to Texas, for the purpose of purchasing horses, he was at the same 
time authorized by me to procure additional men for the company 
which he had raised and brought to the army in January. Not being 
aware of the discharge of that company until the instructions of 
the department, he has brought to my head-quarters some forty 
men, under the expectation of joining the company. As they came 
from their homes in good faith, to serve for a limited time, and have 
actually rendered service in conducting a large number of horses, 
and afterwards in escorting a train from Camargo, I have deemed 
it no more than just to allow them pay and travelling allowances 
for the time they have actually served, and gave instructions ac¬ 
cordingly to Colonel Croghan to muster them into and out of ser¬ 
vice on the 31st of July. 

We have pretty authentic intelligence from the city of Mexico 
to the 17th ultimo, to the effect that congress had conferred upon 
Santa Anna the power of negotiating a peace, and that an armistice 
had been proposed. General Scott was said to be still at Puebla. 

I am advised by General Hopping that he has forwarded, direct 
to your office, the resignations of Captain Wofford and Lieutenant 
Prince, 13th infantry. To avoid delay, I beg leave to communi¬ 
cate my approval of said resignations. I enclose herewith the 
charges under which Lieutenant Prince resigned. 

I have to acknowledge copies of your letters of July 6th, to 
Brigadier General Lane, and the commanding officer of FortMcHen- * 
ry, and u special orders,” No. 31. 

I am, sir, &c. 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U . S. Army , commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 



378 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 

No. 64. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , August 10, 1847. 

Sir: Intelligence is just received, through Mexican sources, that 
the propositions of peace, presented by Mr. Trist, had been re¬ 
jected by the Mexican congress, which body had adjourned; that 
General Scott was expected to march on the capital, and that he 
would probably be opposed before reaching it, by the forces under 
Santa Anna, &c. The date from the city of Mexico is July 24th; 
if this intelligence be true, we may therefore expect soon to gain 
definite information of a battle. 

The guerrillas are becoming a little bolder on this line, but con¬ 
fine their attacks chiefly to small parties. The main trains have 
not yet been rr olested. Captain Baylor of the Texas rangers, has 
lately had a sharp skirmish with the guerrillas, near the rancho of 
Sablas, on the middle route hence to Camargo. I will forward his 
report as soon as received. 

There continues to be much sickness among the new troops, both 
at Mier and Buena Vista, acompanied by an unusual share of mor¬ 
tality. Nearly 25 per cent, of the force present is disabled at this 
moment by disease. 

I have to acknowledge copies of your communications of July 
14th and 16th, to Lieutenant Colonel Hughes and Brigadier Ge¬ 
neral Brooke, and u special orders, 5 ’ No. 32 and 33. 

I am, sir, &c. 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding . 

The Adjutant General of the army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 65. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , August 16, 1847. 

Sir: My u orders,” No. 96, forwarded by this mail, will advise 
you of the measures taken to detach a portion of the force on this 
line to Vera Cruz, agreeably to the instructions of the Secretary of 
War, dated July 15th and 17th. I also transmit a return, exhibit¬ 
ing, as nearly as practicable, the amount and description of force 
which I have thought it expedient so to detach, and the number of 
troops that will be left on this line. The command of Colonel 
Hays is not included, as I am not advised of its strength, nor do I 
know its present position, or when it may be expected to reach the 
Brassos. It should, however, by this time be on or near the Rio 
Grande, and will probably number 400 men. The wants of the ser¬ 
vice in this quarter will not permit me to detach any additional ca- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 373 


valry force; a strong one being required to keep the roads and 
country free from robbers and guerrillas. 

Brigadier Generals Lane and Cushing have been assigned to duty 
with the troops destined for the other line, the regiments and bat¬ 
talions of their brigades being indicated for that service. For a 
similar reason, General Hopping has been retained, two regiments 
of his brigade (10th and 16th) remaining on this line. 

I trust the above dispositions will meet the approval of the de¬ 
partment. 

I have nothing of interest to communicate from the interior. Our 
last authentic date from Puebla is July 11th, and from Mexico, 
though not equally authentic, July 17th. 

I have to acknowledge your communications of July 16th and 
17th, copies of your letter to Colonel Crane of July 16th, and As¬ 
sistant Surgeon Kennedy of July 17th, Lieutenant Kingsbury’s ap¬ 
plication for leave, referred to me July 17th, copy of my unofficial 
note to Major General Scott of December 26th, u general orders,” 
No. 25, and “special orders,” No. 34. 

I am, sir, &c. 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 




War Department, 
Washington , May 10, 1847. 

Sra: I am directed by the President to modify the instructions to 
you of the 13th of April last, directing the collection of contribu¬ 
tions, in the form of duties, on ships and merchandise admitted 
into the ports of the enemy’s country, of which we have military 
possession, so far as to exempt from tonnage duties all vessels char¬ 
tered by the United States to convey supplies of any and all de¬ 
scriptions to our army and navy, and actually laden with such sup¬ 
plies; but if any vessel has on board other articles of merchan¬ 
dise than government supplies, it will not be entitled to such ex¬ 
emption, but must, like any other vessel, pay tonnage duties accor¬ 
ding to former instructions. 

A copy of this letter has been sent to the officer commanding at 
Matamoras, with directions to adopt the above modification with¬ 
out waiting for any specific instruction from you. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War . 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

Commanding army , #c., Monterey , Mexico. 









380 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


War Department, May 11, 1847. 

Sir: Permit me again to call your attention to the subject of a 
likeness of yourself, for the purpose of preparing the die for a 
medal voted to you by Congress. 

Several artists have, as it is understood, gone to the army under 
your command, and allow me to hope you will avail yourself, 
as you intimated you would in your letter of the 8th of December, 
of the opportunity afforded by their presence with you, to com¬ 
ply with the request heretofore made on that subject. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 

. Secretary of War. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. A ., commanding , Sec., Monterey , Mexico. 


Washington City, May 12, 1847. 

Sir: I communicate to you, herewith, an authenticated copy of 
“Resolutions giving the thanks of Congress to yourself, and the 
officers and men under your command, in the late military opera¬ 
tions at Monterey,’ 7 approved March 2d, 1847. 

Proper steps have been taken to cause to be prepared the “gold 
medal 77 to be presented to yourself, and the “swords 77 to be pre¬ 
sented to Major General Butler, Major General Henderson, 
to Brigadier General Twiggs, Brigadier General Worth, Brigadier 
* General Quitman, and to the nearest male relative of the late Brig¬ 
adier General Hamer. As soon as they shall be completed, it 
will afford me sincere pleasure to present to you, in a suitable and 
appropriate manner, the “gold medal 77 voted to you by Congress. 

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

JAMES K. POLK. 

Major General Zachary Taylor, 

U. S. army in Mexico. 


War Department, May 14, 1847. 

Sir: It affords me pleasure to be the medium of communicating 
to you, and, through you, to the army under your command, the 
accompanying preambles and resolutions, adopted by the common 
council of the city of New York, unanimously expressing their ap¬ 
preciation of the skill and valor of the officers and men, as therein 
named in said resolutions. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. A ., commanding , ., Monterey , Mexico. 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


381 


War Department, May 17, 1847. 

Sir : I am directed by the President to call your attention to the 
seventeenth section of the act of Congress, entitled “An act to 
make provision for an additional number of general officers and for 
other purposes,” passed on the 3d of March last, and to request you 
to take proper measures to enable him to bestow upon meritorious 
non-commissioned officers and privates in the army, who have dis¬ 
tinguished themselves, the benefits of its provisions. 

He is very desirous that all those who have earned the reward it 
confers, by their gallant conduct, should receive it without delay. 
It is conceived that the provisions of the seventeenth section are 
general; that is, they extend to non-commissioned officers and pri¬ 
vates in the volunteer ranks, as well as those in the regiments con¬ 
stituting the regular establishment. 

To entitle a non-commissioned officer, who has distinguished 
himself, to a brevet, he must be recommended by the commanding 
officer of the regiment to which he belongs. It will, therefore, be 
proper that you should apprise the commanding officers of the 
several regiments in the army under your command of this provi¬ 
sion of the law, and the expectation of the President that they 
should furnish recommendations of those non-commissioned officers 
who have earned for themselves the advancement which Congress 
has provided. 

The means by which the President is to acquire the information 
to satisfy him that privates have so conducted themselves as to be 
entitled to certificates, is not indicated in the act of Congress. 
You are, therefore, directed by the President, through the report of 
their immediate commanding officers, or in such other manner as 
you may think proper, to cause to be presented to the Presidenl 
a list of those privates in the army under your command, who are 
deemed to be entitled to the benefits of the seventeenth section oJ 
the act above referred to. 

Mere general good deportment, and a faithful discharge of ordi¬ 
nary duties, will not alone, in the opinion of the department, en¬ 
title either a non-commissioned officer or a private to the benefit o 
the law, for so much is expected of all in the service. Such con 
duct does not constitute a distinction. It is desired, so far as i 
can be practicably done, that the recommendation or report in eacl 
case should specify the conduct or acts of the soldier which art 
considered as entitling him to the reward of distinction. 

I herewith send you a sufficient number of copies of the sectioi 
of the act of Congress to which I have called your attention, t 
enable you to furnish one to each commandant of a regiment, an< 
other officers from whom information can be derived, which wil 
be serviceable to the President in the discharge of the pleasing 
duty of dispensing rewards to the well deserving. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Zachary Taylor, 

U. S. Army , commanding , #c., Mexico . 







382 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


War Department, 
Washington , June 14, 1847. 

Sir: In my letter of the 17th ultimo, I sent to you several printed 
copies of the 17th section of “ An act to make provision for an 
additional number of general officers and for other purposes,” and 
requested that measures might be taken to secure the benefits of 
that section to the non-commissioned officers and privates entitled 
to them. When that letter was written, I was under the impres¬ 
sion that the means by which the President is to acquire the infor¬ 
mation to satisfy him that privates have so conducted themselves 
as to be entitled to certificates, were not indicated in the act of 
Congress. Upon a more careful examination of that act, it is be¬ 
lieved that this is not correct. By virtue of the terms, u in like 
manner ,” used in reference to granting these certificates, it is to be 
determined that they are to be issued by the President, on the 
“recommendation of the commanding officer of the regiment,” to 
which the privates belonged; and it is very questionable whether 
he can issue them without such recommendation. It is, therefore, 
proper that those who may consider themselves entitled to the dis¬ 
tinction of a certificate, and the allowance of extra pay, should be 
informed of the construction given to the act, that the recommen¬ 
dation of the commanding officer of the regiment is deemed 
necessary. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Z. Taylor, &c., &c. 


War Department, 
Washington , June 26, 1847. 

Sir: It is understood here that several companies of mounted 
men from Texas, which have entered the service for the period of 
six months, and are unwilling to engage for the war, or even for 
twelve months, have reported to you. They have organized, it is 
said, under what they considered a call from Colonel Curtis, while 
commanding officer at Camargo, when the communication between 
that place and your head-quarters was temporarily interrupted, and 
when some fears were entertained for the security of the line on 
the Rio Grande. 

I can well conceive that these troops, if they have reported to 
you for duty, will cause you some embarrassment as to the dispo¬ 
sition to be made of them. Without having your views on the 
subject, or knowing precisely the circumstances of the case, I am 
at a loss to determine what ought to be done with them. You are, 
I presume, already advised of the description and amount of force 
destined for your column. These companies have not been taken 
into calculation. It is expected that a considerable part of the 
regiment of mounted men raised in Texas, under the command of 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


383 


Colonel Hays, will be with you. Some of the companies of this 
regiment are engaged for the war, and some for twelve months. 
Should you be in want of more of this description of troops, the 
companies who have turned out for six months might be retained 
for that period by the ratification of Colonel Curtis’s call, under 
which it is understood they have turned out. That call was made 
under apprehension that the Rio Grande frontier was exposed to 
invasion, and the act of the 13th of May, 1846, section second, 
declares “that the militia, when called into the service of the Uni¬ 
ted States by virtue of this act, or any other act, may, if in the 
opinion of the President of the United States the public interest 
requires it, be compelled to serve a term not exceeding six months 
after their arrival at the place of rendezvous in any one year, un¬ 
less sooner discharged.” They have come out as militia, as dis¬ 
tinguished from volunteers, and, should the President affirm the act 
of Colonel Curtis, they may be retained in service six months. 

If these companies have been raised under Colonel Curtis’s call, 
have reported to you for service, and are still with you, and you 
deem it important to the public interest that they should be re¬ 
ceived, you are hereby authorized by the President to retain them, 
as militia, for six months. 

Should they, or a considerable portion of them, be willing to be¬ 
come volunteers, if it is only for the twelve months, it is decidedly 
preferable that they should be engaged as such, instead as militia. 
This matter, under the foregoing views, is left to your determina¬ 
tion. 

There is some reason to apprehend that a number of Carlist 
officers have left, or may soon leave France, with a view to join 
the Mexican army. Steps have been already taken to prevent their 
entrance into Mexico. While on their way to that country we 
should not have a right to detain them as prisoners of war, but it 
is very clear that we may prevent them, if able to do so, from 
joining our enemy. I, herewith, send you an extract from a 
despatch to the Secretary of State, from our minister at Paris, giv¬ 
ing the names of seventy or eighty of them, and also a copy of a 
letter to the commanding officer at Matamoras on the subject. 
Should you have occasion to act in this matter, you will do what 
you can to intercept their passage into Mexico. 

Very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 


Major General Z. Taylor, 

U. S. A., commanding , at Monterey. 


War Department, July 15, 1847. 

Sir: Soon after the successful operations of Major General Scott, 
and the forces under his immediate command, had secured another 
and a preferable base for penetrating the interior of Mexico, his 
views were sought in relation to the plans of future movements, in 



384 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


regard not only to his column, but also to that under your com¬ 
mand. In my letter to you of the 6th of May, you were informed 
of the amount of force which had been assigned to your command, 
and your opinion was desired as to the employment of that force, 
under any probable contingency, in the way most effective for the 
successful prosecution of the war. It was believed here that the 
most important points in the enemy’s country could be reached 
with much more facility from the Yera Cruz base, and that both 
General Scott and yourself would advise that the principal, if not 
the only, expeditions into the interior of the enemy’s country 
should proceed from it. The letter to General Scott was expedited 
by a special messenger, but, unfortunately, he was cut off on the 
way from Yera Cruz to the general’s head-quarters. Though other 
means were also employed to transmit that despatch, it is uncertain 
whether it has ever reached him, or, if it has, when his reply to 
it will be received. 

In your letters to this department of the 28th of May and 16th 
of June, you have presented your views in relation to operations 
on the line now held by you. In the latter, you say: “If I were 
called upon to make a suggestion on the general subject of opera¬ 
tions against Mexico, it would certainly be to hold in this quarter 
a defensive line, and throw all the remaining troops into the other 
column.” t • 

In view of the difficulties heretofore suggested by you—in get¬ 
ting the armament and the proper description of force for an early 
forward movement by your column, in procuring adequate sup¬ 
plies and ample means of transportation for so long a line, and in 
maintaining and securing the numerous posts which must, in that 
case, be left in your rear—the President approves of,' and concurs 
in, your suggestion, and has determined to carry it out. 

His direction, therefore, is, that you shall hold such a line as 
you have suggested; and that, retaining only such a force as you 
may judge to be necessary to sustain it in security, you should 
send the remainder of that with you, and that destined for your 
line, with the least possible delay to General Scott. The neces¬ 
sary orders will be issued from this place to have the means of 
transportation ready at the Brassos. 

You are requested to inform this department of the amount of 
force you will retain to maintain such a line, and the number and 
description of troops that you may order from it for General Scott’s 
column. Some of those, which, according to former statements, 
have been assigned to you, not yet being in route, will have their 
destination changed, and be sent directly to Yera Cruz. 

The Adjutant General will probably send, by the same convey¬ 
ance that transmits this communication, a further statement rela¬ 
tive to the force destined for your command. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

% W. L. MARCY, 

Secretary of War. 

Major General Z. Taylor, commanding , fyc. 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


385 


War Department, July 17, 1847. 

Sir: I transmit herewith a copy of instructions to Colonel Hays, 
commanding a regiment of mounted volunteers in Texas, requiring 
him to proceed to Yera Cruz with such of his command as can be 
spared, for the purpose of dispersing the guerrillas which infest the 
line between that place and the interior of Mexico, and I have to 
request that you will cause the same destination to be given to such 
of the Texas companies of horse now serving under your orders as 
can be safely spared from your c< lumn. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

Commanding U. S. Army at Monterey , Mexico. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , August 16, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your communications of 
the 15th and 17th of July, the former directing the detachment of 
the surplus force on this line to Yera Cruz, and received by mail 
on the 7th instant- the latter relative to the detachment of Colonel 
Hays and his command to Yera Cruz, and received by special ex- 
.press on the 13th. My report of this date to the adjutant general 
and my “ orders,” No. 96, forwarded to his office, will advise the 
department of the measure I have taken to carry out its instruc¬ 
tions, the amount of force detached, and the force left to maintain 
this line. 

We are absolutely without intelligence from the interior, our last 
dates from Mexico, on which any reliance can be placed, being fully 
a month old. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 

Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War , Washington , D. C. 


No. 66. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , August 24, 1847. 

Sir: I have respectfully to report that rumored movements of 
the enemy between San Luis and Saltillo, and the consequent 
representations of Brigadier General Wool, commanding in front, 
have induced me so far to modify the order detaching a portion of 
my force to the lower column as to retain the light battery com¬ 
manded by Captain Deas, 4th artillery. Considering the extent of 
25 




386 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


this line, three batteries will not, perhaps, be regarded as an exces¬ 
sive force of light artillery. 

The movement of the regiments detached from this line has, I 
hope, commenced. The Massachusetts regiment now in garrison at 
Monterey and Cerralvo only awaits its relief, which must now be in 
route from Mier. General Lane is on the river, superintending the 
movement of the Ohio and Indiana regiments. General Cushing is 
here on his way below, to embark with the 13th and Massachusetts 
regiments. 

A mixed command of dragoons and Texas cavalry is now 
scouring the region infested with guerrillas and robbers between 
this and Camargo. I hope good results will follow this expedition. 

We have no intelligence from the interior, except by way of 
Yera Cruz. From what I can learn, the disposition of the people 
in Chihuahua and other northern States is more hostile than £ver. 
An attempt has been made by the governor of Coahuila to convene 
the legislature at Monclova for purposes not friendly to us, but a 
quorum could not be assembled. 

I have to acknowledge your communications of July 23 and 26, 
and copies of those to General Arbuckle, of July 7 and 26, and to 
Colonel Wilson, of July 27. The inquiry contained in your letter 
of July 23 will be answered as soon as I can obtain a report from 
General Wool. 

I am, sir, &c. 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major' General U. S. A ., commanding . 

The Adjutant General of the army , 

Washington, D. C. 


No. 69. 

Head quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , August 31, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully enclose the reports of Lieutenant Colonel 
Fauntleroy, 2d dragoons, Major Washington, Brevet Major Bragg 
and Captain Sherman, 3d artillery, and Captains Rucker and Carle- 
ton, 1st dragoons, made in conformity with instructions, in order 
to carry out the provisions of section 17, act of March 3, 1847, 
with my general approval of them. % 

It h as been found impracticable to obtain the action of the colo¬ 
nels of the several regiments, not one of them being under my 
orders, and that of the 1st dragoons being in California. 

Our last intelligence from the city of Mexico is to the 14th in¬ 
stant, at which time the Americans were said to be quite near the 
capital, and a feeble defence was anticipated. We are looking 
hourly for further intelligence. 

Six companies of the 16th infantry arrived here yesterday, and 
will relieve the Massachusetts regiment in Monterey to-morrow, 




Ex. Doc. No. 58. 


387 

when the latter will march for the Brassos. On its way hither the 
16th was attacked near Papayallos by a guerilla force, but repulsed 
it without sustaining any loss; that of the enemy unknown. With 
this exception, all has been quiet in this quarter. 

I am happy to report - that the health of the troops near Saltillo 
is much improved. 

Our last date from Washington is July 27; from New Orleans, 
August 9. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General , U. S. A ., commanding , 
The Adjutant General 

Of the army , Washington , D. C. 


No. 70. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camjp near Monterey , September 7, 1847. 

Sir: I have no intelligence to communicate from this line since 
the date of my last report, except the lamented death of Brigadier 
General Hopping, on the 1st instant, atMier. You will receive by 
this mail the order.announcing to the troops this melancholy dis¬ 
pensation. 

From Saltillo we receive to-day the information that, about the 
22d ultimo, General Scott entirely defeated a division of the Mexi¬ 
can army, under the orders of General Valencia; General Salas 
being killed, and almost the whole division destroyed or captured. 
This action is said to have taken place at St. Angel. This intelli¬ 
gence is from a respectable source, and believed in Saltillo. 

It is now twenty days since we have received any advices from 
the city of Washington, the last date being still July 26. 

I am, sir, &c., 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General , U. S. A ., commanding . 

The Adjutant General 

Of the army , Washington , D . C. 


No. 71. 

* 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , September 14, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully enclose, herewith, Colonel Belknap’s report 
of an affair with a party of guerillas near Mier, in which a small 
detachment of the 3d dragoons, with a few citizens, defeated the' 
enemy with considerable loss. 

Brigadier General Marshall had reached this place, and was un- 

J 




888 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


]er orders for Buena Vista, when I received your instructions of 
August 11. Although Brigadier Generals Lane and Cushing had 
already been detached to the other line, I thought it best not to 
•etain General Marshall, and have accordingly ordered him to re¬ 
port to Major General Scott. 

I have desired for some time to relieve Captain Britton, at Ca- 
nargo, but have had no competent officer to take his place. Under 
rour instructions of August 5, Major Roman, now at Buena Vista, 
las been selected for that purpose, and Captain Britton will, as 
;oon as practicable, join his company. 

Your communication of August 12, requesting the transmittal of 
the muster roll of Captain Meares’s company of mounted volun- 
;eers, has been referred to Brigadier General Wool, with instruc- 
ions to forward a copy of the roll, which is supposed to be on file 
it his head-quarters. 

We have dates from the city of Mexico, through the government 
>apers, of August 22 and 25, the latter containing a copy of the 
convention for an armistice, consequent upon the defeat of General 
Valencia near St. Angel. We look daily for further intelligence. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, &c., 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major. General , U. S. A., commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the army , Washington , D. C. 


Head-quarters, upper Rio Grande, 
Mier , Mexico , September 9, 1847. 

Sir: I have to report that yesterday morning, between one and 
wo o’clock, a party of robbers, numbering near forty, rode ra- 
>idly into the plaza at this town, and, halting before the company 
[uarters, fired upon the guard, killing one man. The company 
uickly turned out, and returned the fire, when the robbers retreated 
owards the camping ground of the trains, where were encamped 
ve wagons, containing merchandize valued at $75,000, and under- 
tood to belong to the French consul at Matamoras. 

This dash into town is thought to havebeen made, simply to dis- 
ract attention from another party, of about thirty men, which 
ras at the same time engaged in seizing these wagons and goods, 
mother party, yet, was towards the late camp of instruction. As 
oon as the teams could be made ready, these parties united and 
etired, with the property, in the direction of Aldamos. 

With as little delay as possible, F sent in pursuit of them thirty 
rivates of Captain Butler’s company, 3d dragoons, under Lieu- 
enant E. C. Davidson, same regiment, with Lieutenant McGarry, 
nd twelve or fourteen citizens, who cheerfully volunteered 
or that duty. This party came up with the robbers in camp, about 
ixtcen miles from Mier, and, after a brief but spirited engage- 
lent, dispersed them, killing (as correctly as can be ascertained) 
bout twelve, and wounding others. 






Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


389 


Besides the merchandize re-taken, were captured a number of 
horses and mules, one keg of powder (American manufacture) and 
several fire-arms, two lances and thirty Mexican blankets. One 
horse wounded was the entire injury received by our party. 

The teamsters of the captured wagons, who were forced by the 
robbers to accompany them and drive the teams, are Mexicans, and 
state that, besides those employed in the capture of the merchan¬ 
dize, there were many other parties in the vicinity, in one of which 
they recognized Canales , (both himself and horse,) from which it 
is inferred that he organized the attack, though perhaps not engaged 
in its immediate execution. These teamsters also report the num¬ 
ber of robbers they saw to have been at least one hundred, which 
corresponds with the impression of the officers and others who pur¬ 
sued them. 

I state, with satisfaction, that the command of dragoons behaved 
with judgment and gallantry, as did those, also, who volunteered 
to accompany them, and who contributed much to the success of 
the expedition. Among the citizens were Captain Jack Everett, 
Captain Bell, Mr. Jack Hays, &c., &c. 

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, 

W. E. BELKNAP, 
Colonel commanding . 

Major W. W. S. Bliss, 

A. A. G.y camp near Monterey. 


No. 73. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , September 21, 1847. 

Sir: I have little to communicate from this quarter. Our dates 
from the city of Mexico are to the 31st of August, and would, of 
course, be anticipated by direct intelligence from General Scott’s 
head-quarters. ' 

Brigadier General Lane’s command (Ohio and Indiana volun¬ 
teers) was to embark from the Brasses on the 12th instant, in trans¬ 
ports provided by the quartermaster at that point. Brigadier 
General Cushing’s command was awaiting transportation, none 
having arrived under the orders referred to in the communication 
of the Secretary of War, of July 15th. 

All is tranquil on this line. No mail has been received from the 
United States since my last report. 

I am, sir, &c., 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S . A ., commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the Army , Washington , D. C. 






Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


390 

I No. 74. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , September 28, 1847. 

Sir: I regret to report the decease of Captain Henry Erskine,, 
assistant commissary of subsistence in the volunteer service, which 
took place in Monterey, on the 26th instant. 

I have just received intelligence, by way of'Saltillo, of the de¬ 
feat of the Mexicans, on the 12th instant, and the consequent oc¬ 
cupation of the capital by General Scott’s forces. The information 
seems to be authentic. 

j I have to acknowledge your communication of August 30th;, 

■ copies of your letter to Colonel Croghan, of August 24th; to Col¬ 
onel Wilson, of August 12th and 19th; to Colonel Crane, of August 
12th; to Lieutenant Colonel Erving, of August 17th; to Lieutenant 
Patterson, 1st artillery, of August 13th; “general orders,” No. 29,. 
and “special orders,” Nos. 36 to 43 inclusive. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U . S. A. y commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the army y Washington , D. C. 


No. 75. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , October 4, 1847. 

Sir: Having received authentic, though not official, intelligence 
i! that the city of Mexico is now in possession of our forces, I con- 
sider that the time has come when I may with propriety ask for a 
| respite from duty. Indeed, the operations on this line have for 
| many months been of minor importance; but I have been unwilling 
f to ask for leave while there existed any possibility that my services 
| might be required by the department on more active duty. It 
seems now probable that the war, if prolonged, will assume a guer¬ 
rilla character, and it is quite certain that the troops on this line, 
at least for some time to come, will act on the defensive. 

I have, therefore, respectfully to ask leave of absence for six 
months, with permission to visit the United States, if the depart¬ 
ment can dispense with my services for that period. Independent 
of my desire to visit my family, from which I have now been sepa¬ 
rated nearly two years and a half, my private affairs urgently de¬ 
mand my attention, and the state of my health requires some relax¬ 
ation from the exposure, fatigue, and anxieties of field service. 

I make this application with less reluctance, as Brigadier Gen¬ 
eral Wool is present to relieve me; an officer of talents and great 
experience, and every way qualified to discharge the duties which 
j will devolve upon him. 

• • 







Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


391 


As it is very desirable that I should be in New Orleans by the 
first of December, I propose, if nothing prevent, to transfer my 
head-quarters to Matamoras early in next month, there to await the 
action of the department on this application, which I beg may be 
communicated at your earliest convenience. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A., commanding .. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 76. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , October 12, 1847. 

Sir: I beg leave respectfully to invite your attention to the con¬ 
dition of the artillery companies serving near the mouth of the Rio 
Grande, and to the necessity of supplying additional officers for the 
service of those companies. 

1. Company A, 1st artillery, at Brassos and mouth of Rio Grande. 
Not an officer of this company, or even of the regiment, is on duty 
with it, Lieutenant Weld, 2d artillery, being the only company 
officer present. Major Porter, who commands at the double sta¬ 
tion, is summoned to attend a trial before the civil authorities of 
Texas, and is moreover in a bad state of health. T ie good of the 
service requires an experienced officer in command of this company, 
particulary as it has lately received a large accession of recruits. 

2. Company I, 4th artillery, at Point Isabel. Brevet Major 
Scott is the only officer with this company. His health has been 
infirm, but is now improving. He needs a subaltern to assist him. 

3. Company E, 2d artillery, at Fort Brown. Captain Merchant 
and Lieutenant Totten are with this company. The former has 
submitted a surgeon’s certificate, but I have been obliged to deny : 
him leave. This company, and the foregoing, have both received 
many recruits. 

We have no intelligence from the interior, nor have we yet re¬ 
ceived, except through Mexican channels, any account of the cap¬ 
ture of Mexico, though it took place nearly a month since. Every 
thing is tranquil on this line, and the troops generally enjoy excel¬ 
lent health. 

I have to acknowledge a copy of your communication, of Sep¬ 
tember 14th, to Lieutenant Wilds, 13th infantry, and the printed 
circular of September 10th. 

I am, sir, &c., 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding . 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington, D. C. 









392 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


No. 77. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , October 19, 1847. 

Sir: Little worthy of report has occurred since the date of my 
last communication, (12th instant.) We have received no mail 
from the United States, and our news from the interior is not 
recent, coming down only to a few days subsequent to the fall of 
the capital. In this quarter the country continues entirely tranquil, 
with the exception of occasional attacks upon the road by parties 
of guerrillas, or, rather, robbers. The last down mail was ambus¬ 
caded near Ramos on the evening of the 13th instant, and one of 
the mail bags lost; but it was fortunately recovered next day. Two 
or three horses were killed, and one of the men (Sergeant Lott, of 
the Mississippi regiment) was missing, and may have been killed, 
though I have hopes that he is safe. I have found it expedient to 
increase the mail escorts, and detach a company of mounted Texans 
from this camp to reinforce the garrison of Cerralvo, with a view 
to keep the road and country clear of these outlaws. 

The return of this command for August has been unexpectedly 
delayed, on account of the failure to receive the return of the 10th 
infantry. I hope by next mail to forward the August and perhaps 
the September return. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


No. 78. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 
Camp near Monterey , October 25, 1847. 

Sir: On examining the papers pertaining to my head-quarters, I 
discover several letters connected with the operations in April and 
May, 1846, which seem to deserve a permanent place in the files of 
the War Department. The multiplicity of other engagements and 
duties, no doubt, prevented their transmittal at the time, and I 
have now the honor to enclose authenticated copies of them, num¬ 
bered 1 to 6, as follows: 

1. General Taylor to General Mejia, March 28, 1846. 

2. General Taylor to General Mejia, March 30, u 

3. General Mejia to General Taylor, March 31, u 

4. General Arista to General Taylor, April 24, <c 

5. General Taylor to General Arista, April 25, u 

6. General Arista to General Taylor, May 17, u 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A ., commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

Of the army , Washington , D. C. 








Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


393 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp on the left bank of the Rio Grande , 

near Matamoras , March 28, 1846. 

Sir: This will be handed you by Brigadier General Worth, of 
the United States army, who is fully authorized by me to explain 
to you the nature, and the reasons, of the movement of the force 
under my orders, to the left bank of the Rio Grande, and enter 
into any arrangements to secure the peace and harmony of the 
frontier, at least, until the question of boundary shall be defini¬ 
tively settled between our respective governments. 

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient 
servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Brevet Brigadier General U. S. A ., commanding. 

Senor General D. F. Mejia, 

Or, general commanding in Matamoras. 

A true copy. 

W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. Gen. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp on the left bank of the Rio Grande , 
near Matamoras , Texas , March 30, 1846. 

Sir: On my peaceful march to this point, on the 28th instant, 
and when but two or three miles from the river, two dragoons, de¬ 
tached from our advance, disappeared, and it is understood were 
taken prisoners by a party of Mexican soldiers. About the same 
time, the horse of one of our trumpeters was forcibly taken from 
him, by the same, or a similar party. I cannot believe that these 
acts were committed by your orders, or have come to your knowl¬ 
edge; for, in such case, I cannot doubt the men and horses would 
have been returned; and I must therefore ^request, as I now have 
the honor of doing, that the two men and three horses be restored 
as early as may be convenient. I have no sincerer desire than to 
preserve a good understanding between our governments; and, to 
assist in carrying out that end, I trust you will see the reasonable¬ 
ness of this demand, and the propriety of complying with it. 

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient ser¬ 
vant, ' 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Brevet Brigadier General , commanding. 

Seiior General D. Francisco Mejia. 

A true copy. 


W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. Gen. 






394 


Ex. Doc. No. 56j 

[.Translation.] 

Right bank of the Rio Bravo, 

Head-quarters, Matamoras , March 31, 1846. 

I have had the honor to receive the note of your excellency, 
dated yesterday, in which you were pleased to inform me i that two 
dragoons, having separated themselves from a scouting party be¬ 
longing to the army, under your orders, were seized by one of my 
detachments of observations, and that this party, or some other like 
it, also took by force the horse of a bugler; which proceedings, 
your excellency does not believe, were in obedience to my orders, 
nor that they can have come to my knowledge, because, in the one 
or the other case, as to the men as well as to^the horses, they would 
have been immediately returned. 

With the frankness exacted by military honor, your excellency 
will permit me to observe that, after the conference which took 
place on the 28th instant, between Generals W. Worth and Don 
Romulo Diaz de la Vega, your excellency could not ask the resti¬ 
tution which is the subject of your note, which I now answer, by 
basing that demand upon the pacific march of the American troops, 
which have occupied the left bank of the Bravo. It was clearly 
and explicitly shown.to the commissioner of your excellency, in 
the above mentioned conference, that the march of a foreign army 
upon Mexican territory, was to be viewed as an actual invasion, and 
that such was the character generally attributed to the advance of 
the American troops to the point which they now occupy. 

Your excellency’s march, therefore, has not been pacific, inas¬ 
much as a question of limits is depending between our respective 
governments. This circumstance, especially, should have forbid¬ 
den an occupation in fact, because it is not easy to conceive the 
reason or justice of taking forcible possession of the very terri¬ 
tory in dispute, pending the negotiation. 

This observation is not be interpreted in the sense, that the legi¬ 
timate dominion and inestimable right of Mexico over the depart¬ 
ment of Texas are to be placed in discussion. What I wish to say 
is, that the occupation of the left bank of the Bravo, in the present 
aspect of our respective nations towards each other, is a positive 
declaration of war on the part of the United States, and that, not 
only the army under my command has so understood it, but also 
all the citizens of Mexico. In this understanding, it is clear that 
hostilities having been opened by the invading troops, the two dra¬ 
goons, claimed by your excellency, may, with propriety, be made 
prisoners, conformably to the laws of war, and that their delivery 
to you is not obligatory, whatever view may be taken of the cir¬ 
cumstances of their capture. 

However, though you have no right to exact the return of the 
prisoners, not to subject myself to false testimony against Mexi¬ 
can generosity, I shall determine that the said dragoons, with 
their arms and horses, shall be returned to your excellency’s camp, 
and have given orders accordingly. I cannot do the same in respect 
to the horse of the bugler, having no knowledge as to his having 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


395 


been taken, which was probably done by some of the citizens, who, 
not being soldiers, had armed themselves in defence of their 
country. 

All which I have the honor to say to your excellency, in an¬ 
swer to your forementioned note, assuring you of my most dis¬ 
tinguished consideration. 

God and liberty. 

FRANCISCO MEJIA. 


Senor General-in-Chief 

Of the troops of the United States. 


[Translation.] 

Head-quarters, Mexican Army, 

Matamorasj April 24, 1846. 

The course of events, since the declaration of the United States 
of the incorporation of Texas into the Union, are so clearly hos¬ 
tile to Mexico, and so decidedly foreign to the dignity and prin¬ 
ciples which the Americans have heretofore proclaimed in the 
face of nations, that it can only be believed that their policy has 
taken a new course, and their moderation has been converted into 
a desire to elevate themselves by degrading their neighbors. 

The respect and consideration which friendly nations observe 
towards each other have been trampled under foot, whereby the 
justice and excessive moderation which Mexico has observed is 
but more clearly exhibited. We are oppressed and forced into a 
struggle which we cannot refuse, without a dereliction of the most 
sacred duty of men. 

Discussion is no part of the duty of soldiers, that is the work of 
diplomatic agents; ours is to act. In this understanding, and 
under the belief that an attempt is made to impose upon the re¬ 
puted weakness of Mexico, I am resolved to take efficient measures 
to oblige the forces of the United States to respect us. 

Hostilities have commenced, and I do not hesitate to assure 
your excellency that arms are hereafter to be used, and that y6u 
must not be surprised that the troops under my command should 
wait for no further signal. 

The Mexicans have been calumniated as barbarous, in the most 
caustic and unjust manner; the time is now at hand when we shall 
be known, and I do not believe that the troops under my command 
will do anything to confirm such an aspersion; they will exhibit the 
feelings of humanity and generosity which are genial to them. 

For the first time, I have the honor to offer to your excellency, 
my distinguised consideration. 

God and liberty. 

M. ARISTA, 

General-in-chief of the Mexican forces. 

Mr. Z. Taylor, 

Senor General-in-chief of the forces of the United States , en¬ 
camped in front of this place . 



398 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Matamoras , Texas , April 25, 1846. 

Sir: I have had the honor to receive your communication of the 
24th instant, in which you advert to the causes which Mexico has 
to complain of the course of the United States since the annexation 
of Texas, and, after speaking of the state of war now declared to 
exist, declare your intention to prosecute it. 

I beg leave to refer you to my communications to your predeces¬ 
sor in command, particularly that of the 22d instant, for an expo¬ 
sition of the views which have governed me in carrying out the in¬ 
tentions of my government to occupy the left bank of the Rio 
Bravo. For the interests of humanity, equally dear to both 
countries, I had hoped that our friendly relations would not be in¬ 
terrupted, and that the forward movement of the American army 
would be regarded as a simple occupation of the territory, until the 
question of boundary should be settled by diplomatic agents, to 
whom, as you justly remark, the discussion is confided. I ac¬ 
cordingly refrained from any act which could possibly be inter¬ 
preted into hostility, until the peremptory summons of General 
Ampudia to vacate my position within twenty-four hours, rendered 
it necessary to take some action, and I then chose a measure not in 
itself hostile, but a simple defensive precaution, viz: a blockade of 
the Rio Bravo. 

From your known high character, both as a public officer and 
private citizen, I was. strengthened in my hope that some arrange¬ 
ment could be made by which friendly relations might be main¬ 
tained on the frontier, until a final settlement of the question of 
boundary, or until other definitive action should be had by our 
respective governments. But, if such is not to be the case—if hos¬ 
tilities are to ensue—the responsibility must rest with them who 
actually commence them. 

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient 
servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Brevet Brigadier General , commanding. 

• Exmo. Senor D. Mariano Arista, 

General-in-chief of the Mexican forces. 

A true copy. 

W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. General. 


[Translation.] 

Division of the North, 
Head-quarters , Matamoras , May 17, 1846. 

General Don Tomas Requena passes over to your camp, with the 
object of informing your excellency of the determination of the su¬ 
preme Mexican government, as to the defensive war proclaimed by 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


397 


the republic; at the same time the said general will make known 
other points to which his communication extends. Please receive 
this note as his credentials. 

I have the honor to assure your excellency of my hiarh con¬ 
sideration. 

God and liberty. 

MARIANO ARISTA. 


Don Z. Taylor, 

Sehor General-in-chief of the forces of the U. States. 


No. 80. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , November 2, 1847. 

Sir: I have no authentic intelligence from the interior to com¬ 
municate, our reports thence being very contradictory and uncer¬ 
tain. All is quiet, however, in our immediate front; but the guer¬ 
rillas or robbers still infest the route from this point to Camargo. 
Lieutenant Campbell, 2d dragoons, with a party of about twenty 
men, while on his way from Cerralvo, was attacked this morning 
about 8 o’clock, by a very large body of rancheros, and only succeed¬ 
ed in rescuing his party after the loss of several men in killed and 
wounded. Two commands of the 2d and 3d dragoons are now in 
pursuit of the attacking party. I cannot, by this mail, give further 
particulars. 

I shall move my head-quarters from this place on the 8th instant, 
and expect to be accompanied as far, at least, as Mier, by Brigadier 
General Wool, who is now here, and who desires to inspect, per¬ 
sonally, the line hence to the Rio Grande. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. <$., commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

, Washington, D. C. 


War Department, 
Washington , October 11, 1847. 

Sir : I have been directed by the President to transmit to you 
the copy of a late despatch sent to General Scott,* and to direct 
your attention to that part of it which relates to levying contribu¬ 
tions and the treatment of guerillas. These suggestions are to be 
regarded as indicative of the policy which the government is dis¬ 
posed to have pursued on these subjects. It is conceived, however, 
that there may be reasons for not adopting it in its full vigor, and 


[♦Despatch to General Scott, of October 6, 1347.] 









398 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


the views of the government are not put in the shape of positive in¬ 
structions. The course to be adopted is still left to the discretion 
of the commanding general, he being, from position and full 
knowledge, better able to determine the effectsof the policy recom¬ 
mended upon our interests in Mexico. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 


Major General Z. Taylor, 

Commanding Army of Occupation , Monterey , Mexico. 


War Department, 
Washington , October 18, 1847. 

Sir : The accompanying order, No. 404, issued by Brigadier 
General Wool, at Buena Yista, 16th day of August last, as it dis¬ 
misses two commissioned officers and two privates from the service 
of the United States, is deemed to be of such a character as to ren¬ 
der it proper that it should have been submitted to you for such 
action as, under the peculiar circumstances of tffie case, you might 
have seen fit to bestow upon it; but this does not appear to have 
been done. Without expressing a definite opinion on the course 
pursued, and without scarcely any knowledge of the unhappy oc¬ 
currences whic h preceded and led to the issuing of that order, the 
President has directed me to transmit it to you, for such act.on as 
you may deem proper to give to it. I am also directed by him to 
send you a copy of a letter addressed by First Lieutenant Pender, 
of the North Carolina regiment of volunteers, tendering his resig¬ 
nation, and assigning his reason for not making the application for 
his discharge in the usual manner. From these two communica¬ 
tions, it appears that occurrences, much to be regretted, have taken 
place in the camp at Buena Yista. To the end that full informa¬ 
tion may be obtained in relation to the alleged mutiny, and the 
homicide which appears to have resulted from, it, the President di¬ 
rects you to institute a court of inquiry, to investigate all the facts 
and circumstances of the transactions alluded to, and desires that 
the proceedings of the court may be forwarded at your earliest 
convenience to this department. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

Commanding Army of Occupation. 


War Department, 
Washington, October 25, 1847. 

Sir: You will perceive by an order herewith sent, issued by di¬ 
rection of the President, that he entirely disapproves of the divi- 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


399 


sion order, No. 404, put forth by General Wool, dated 16th of 
August last, whereby First Lieutenant Josiah S. Pender, First 
Lieutenant George E. B. Singalterry, Private Jason Hunter, com¬ 
pany A, of the North Carolina regiment, and Private Thomas King, 
of company G, Virginia regiment, are, without trial, and for aught 
that appears, without being heard, dishonorably discharged from the 
service of the United States, and he has ordered them to return to 
their respective regiments and companies. The right of General 
Wool to issue such an order may well be questioned. The warrant 
for such a procedure is not found in the rules and articles of war, 
or in the laws of the land, nor is it sanctioned by any usage of the 
service which has come to the knowledge of this department. It 
is a proceeding repugnant to the most obvious dictate of justice, 
which requires that every person under accusation for a crime 
should have the benefits of, a trial; should have an opportunity to 
be heard in his defence, before he is branded with the ignominy of 
being guilty; and more particularly is it so, if the crime, as in this 
case, is one which merits the punishment of death, and reflects on 
the accused an infamy that abides with them through life, and be¬ 
comes an inheritance of dishonor to their posterity. It is not pro¬ 
posed by the President, in this or any case, to do anything to relax 
the salutary rules of discipline in the army, but to uphold them 
and to give all needful countenance and support to those whose 
unpleasant duty it is to enforce them. The officers and men dis¬ 
missed, by the order referred to, are not sent back to the army with 
the expectation or desire that any offences they may have commit¬ 
ted should be overlooked, but for the purpose of giving an oppor¬ 
tunity to deal with them as they shall have deserved. It is only 
in this way that the imputation of crime cast upon them, if un¬ 
founded, can be effectually rebutted. If guilty of what is charged 
in the order, let them be punished by a sentence of a court mar¬ 
tial. As their dismissal was unauthorized, it will constitute no 
obstacle to proceedings against them in the usual mode of trial. 
The transactions from which this dismissal resulted are of a char¬ 
acter to arrest public attention, and particularly the attention of 
the government, and call for a careful scrutiny. It concerns all 
who have had any direct participation in them, that full investiga¬ 
tion should be made, and all the facts incorporated into an authen¬ 
tic record. It is for this reason that the President has directed, as 
I notified you in my communication of the 18th instant, that they 
should be made the subject of a court of inquiry. 

It seems that a state of things existed in the camp at Buena 
Vista which, in the judgment of General Wool, authorized him to 
dismiss, summarily and without trial, officers and men from service, 
stigmatized in a public order as participants in one of the highest 
and most infamous military offences. It is of the utmost impor¬ 
tance to this officer of high military rank and distinguished ser¬ 
vices, that this matter* should be fully investigated; nor is it of 
less importance to Colonel Paine, commanding officer of the North 
Carolina regiment, that he should have the facts and circumstances 
which led to the death of one soldier and the wounding of another 


400 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


by his own hands, thoroughly investigated and authentically estab¬ 
lished. To this subject it is requested that the enquiries of the 
court should be particularly directed. 

While the government feels itself bound, from high considerations 
connected with the best interests of the service, to sustain all offi¬ 
cers in the rightful exercise of their proper authority, it is bound 
by an equal obligation to guard the rights of those subject to their 
command, and to afford them protection against oppression and 
wrong. 

The government has, I trust, been careful not to give more than 
due consideration to the complaints of those who feel aggrieved, 
and to the representations of others who sympathize in their sup¬ 
posed injuries; and, under a sense of duty, it could not do less 
than to call for a full enquiry into them. To show that these com¬ 
plaints and representations came in sucffia shape, and so vouched, 
as to command the attention of the President, and also, in order to 
bring to your notice the persons whom it may be proper to exam¬ 
ine as witnesses, I send you copies of some of the communications 
which have been addressed to the President and to this depart¬ 
ment, on the unfortunate occurrences herein referred to. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Z. Taylor, 

Commanding Army of Occupation , Monterey , Mexico. 


List of papers referred to in the foregoing letter. 

Lieutenant Pender’s letter to the Secretary of War, October 22, 
1847. 

Letter of Mississippians to Mr. Walker, and referred to Secre¬ 
tary of War. 

Letter of William Vandyke Neill. 

Letter of Assistant Surgeon McRea. 

Certificate of surgeon and assistant. 

Certificate of two lieutenants. 

Letter signed by Captain Roberts and others. 

Copy of General Wool’s order, No. 404; and 

Colonel Paine’s order discharging Lieutenant Pender, &c., &c. 


War Department, 

Adjutant GeneraVs Office , Washington , November 6, 1847. 

General: Your letter dated October 4th, requesting leave of ab¬ 
sence, for the period of six months, was this day received, and sub¬ 
mitted to the Secretary of War; and I am instructed to say, that 
considering the long absence from your home and family, the very 
arduous and distinguished services rendered in the important com- 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


401 


mand assigned to you, your request is deemed reasonable, and is 
readily granted by the President. 

, I am further directed to say, it is hoped that the exigencies of 
the war will not be such as to render it desirable to have you to 
return to the field before the expiration of the leave now accorded 
to you. 

It is expected, as a matter of course, that you will turn over 
your command to Brigadier General Wool, the officer next in rank. 

Wishing you a safe return to your family and friends, I am, ge¬ 
neral, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

R. JONES, 
Adjutant General. 


Major General Z. Taylor, 

Commanding Army of Occupation , 

Matamoras , Mexico. 


No. 81. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camargo, November 14th, 1847. 

Sir: I respectfully report that I left my camp, near Monterey, 
on the 8th instant, and arrived without incident at this place yes¬ 
terday. You will perceive by the orders sent in this mail, that, in 
anticipation of leaving the country, I have turned over the com¬ 
mand of all the troops, in advance of Matamoras, to Brigadier Ge¬ 
neral Wool. That officer has accompanied me hither, and will 
leave to-morrow on his return to Monterey, having inspected the 
posts and depots on this part of the line. I shall also leave to¬ 
morrow, and expect to reach Matamoras on the 17th instant. 

At the date of my departure from Monterey, nothing of interest 
had reached us from the interior, nor has any thing important been 
reported from the front since that time. 

I enclose Lieutenant Campbell’s official report of his late affair 
with a guerrilla party, near Agua Fria, by which it will be seen 
that he sustained himself creditably against many times his force. 
The death of Marco Martinez in this action is well confirmed, and 
is important, for he was, perhaps, the most active of the guerilla 
chiefs on this line. 

A mounted command from Cerralvo, under the orders of Cap¬ 
tain Reed of the Texas cavalry, succeeded, on the 7th instant, in 
surprising a guerrilla camp, between Ramos and Capadero, killing 
two men, securing a large number of horses and mules, and a quan¬ 
tity of arms, saddles, &c. The line hence to Monterey is now quite 
free of hostile parties, and the patrols kept out from Mier and Cer¬ 
ralvo add great security to the road. 

Should my application to leave Mexico be granted, and the ab¬ 
sence of Brigadier General Brooke from New Orleans be necessa¬ 
rily prolonged, it may meet the views of the department to place 



402 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


me, until his return, in command at that point, I have only to sig¬ 
nify my readiness for such temporary duty, if the public interest 
can be thereby benefitted. 

I have to acknowledge your communication of the 16th instant, 
Telative to withholding from the pay of the Mississippi regiment 
certain amounts refunded by the United States, which has been re¬ 
ferred to Brigadier General Wool, to whose particular command 
the regiment belongs; also copies of your communications to Bri¬ 
gadier General Wool of October 9th, and Colonel Wilson of Octo¬ 
ber 11th, and ee special orders,” No. 49 to 53, inclusive. The return 
of,the troops, in and near Monterey, will be forwarded at the ear¬ 
liest moment possible. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding. 

The Adjutant General of the Army , 

Washington , D. C. 


Camp near Monterey, November 3, 1847. 

Major: I have the honor to report, for the information of the com¬ 
manding general, the details of an engagement I had with the enemy, 
near Agua Fria, on the morning of the 2d instant. I left Cerralvo 
on the morning of the 1st, with a detachment of twenty dragoons 
of the second regiment, one lieutenant, and two privates of Cap¬ 
tain Reid’s company Texas rangers. Three miles beyond Agua 
Fria, on the morning of the 2d, my command was fired upon from 
the rear by a body of Mexicans, who emerged from a thick chap- 
paral by the roadside. This force I immediately charged and dis¬ 
persed; in the pursuit, I discovered tw T o other detachments of the 
enemy, until then hid by the thick underbrush, that I successively 
charged and succeeded in driving to positions where my sabres 
could be of little use. At this time, I found I had one man killed, 
several wounded and dismounted, and finding that it was necessary, 
for the protection of the latter, that the enemy should be defeated 
and driven back, I dismounted my force, and taking advantage of 
a dense chapparal to protect my small command from ten times the 
number opposed to me, the engagement was recommenced with re¬ 
newed vigor. I was now surrounded by the enemy; and the range 
of the escopettes being greater, than carbines^ they fired upon me, 
and wounded my men and horses with comparative impunity. My 
fire was reserved until an opportunity occurred to make it tell. 
Such a state of things continued for half an hour, at the expiration 
of which their fire slackened; when, seeing some bioken ground a 
short distance from me, I proceeded thither without further moles¬ 
tation, and placed my command in a ravine. 

The enemy retired, and I neither saw or heard anything of them 
after securing this position. 

I would state-that the notorious bandit, El Mancho, (one arm,) 
sometimes called Martinez, was in command of the party opposed 



Ex. Doc. No. 56. 403 

to me. I have since learned that he, and five others, were killed 
daring the engagement, and a much larger number wounded. 

Lieutenant Clark, Texas rangers, was of much assistance to me, 
and behaved in a commendable manner throughout the affair. With 
the exception of two privates, a dragoon, and a ranger, who were 
not seen after the fight commenced, and made unnecessary haste 
into camp, the men of the command behaved themselves in a most 
exemplary manner. 

I submit a list of the killed, wounded, and missing: 

Killed. —Three privates, of dragoons. 

Missing. —One private, of dragoons. 

Wounded. —Lieutenant Clark, Texas rangers. 
u Seven privates, 2d dragoons. 

u One Texas ranger. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. B. CAMPBELL, 
ls£ Lieutenant 2d Dragoons . 

Major W. W. S. Bliss, 

Assistant Adjutant General , U. S. A. 


No. 82. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Matamoras , November 23, 1847. 

Sir: I arrived at this place on the 17th instant, and shall leave 
this day for the Brassos, where I propose to turn over the entire 
command on this line to Brigadier General Wool, having this mo¬ 
ment received your communication, of November 6th, granting me 
leave of absence for six months. I shall make a special acknow¬ 
ledgment of that communication, and shall address you on some 
other points when I reach the Brassos. 

I have not heard from the interior since leaving Camargo. Here 
all is quiet, and I have found the command on the river generally 
in good order. 

I have respectfully to. acknowledge the communications of the 
Secretary of War, of October 18th and 25th, with enclosures; com¬ 
munications from your office, of October 22d,,25th, 29th, 30th,and 
November 6th and 8th; copies of your letters to Colonel Ham- 
tranck, of October 23d, and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel May, of 
October 26th; special orders, Nos. 54 to 60, inclusive; and a copy 
of the corrected army register. 

My u orders,” No. 129, and u special orders,” No. 138, will show 
the action taken on your communications, of October 22d, 29th, 
and 30th. In regard to the practice of furloughing men for em¬ 
ployment in the staff departments, I would remark that it has 
existed to only a limited extent, and only in the volunteer service; 
and that it has been tolerated from the necessities of the service and 
the impossibility, at times, of obtaining in any other way teamsters 



404 


Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


and other indispensable laborers. It will be seen from my “ special 
orders,No. 136, that Major Porter has obtained a leave of ab¬ 
sence for the benefit of his health, after which he will join his 
regiment on the other line. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. Army , commanding . 

The Adjutant General 

of the army, Washington, D. C. 


No. 83. 

Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Brassos island , November 24, 1847. 

Sir: I would respectfully represent that the long and faithful 
services of Colonel Whiting, as chief of the quartermaster’s de¬ 
partment on this line of operations, seem to entitle him to relief; 
and I hoped that he would, ere this, receive authority to withdraw 
from the field; but such is not the case, and the absence of any 
regular field officer of the department on this line renders it ne¬ 
cessary to retain hi*. If it meet the views of his chief, and of 
the War Department, I respectfully request that measures may be 
taken to relieve Colonel Whiting at an early day. I would also 
prefer the same request in behalf of Captain Sibley, assistant quar¬ 
termaster, who has fulfilled the most important trusts with zeal 
and ability, during a very long period of field service. 

1 beg leave, also, to invite attention to the case of Captain Ram¬ 
say, who has now been more than two years in the performance of 
arduous field duties, a part of which time as chief of the ordnance 
department, and who has discharged all his functions with credit 
to himself and advantage to the service. I trust it will be deemed 
just and proper soon to relieve him by a field officer, or captain of 
the ordnance department. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A., commanding. 

The Adjutant General 

of the army , Washington , D. C. 

» __ 


No. 84. 

Brassos Island, November 25, 1847. 

Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place yesterday. 
Vou will see, by my orders of this date, that the command on this 
line has been turned over to Brigadier General Wool, whom I 
shall furnish with the orders, instructions, &c., necessary for his 




Ex. Doc. No. 56. 


405 


new position. I expect to embark to-morrow evening in the 
steamer u Monmouth, 7 ’ for New Orleans. Communications will 
hereafter reach me at Baton Rouge. 

In acknowledging your communication of the 6th instant, I beg 
to tender my thanks for the flattering terms in which the depart¬ 
ment has been pleased to accede to my request for leave of absence, 
and to say that I shall, at all times, cheerfully receive orders for 
the field, if my services are deemed necessary. 

In regard to future operations, it may not be out of place to sug¬ 
gest that, if the policy of an entire occupation of Mexico be adop¬ 
ted, the States of Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis, and perhaps others, 
would be most conveniently reached from Saltillo, the head of this 
line. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General , U. S. A. 

The Adjutant General 

of the army , Washington , D. C. 


War Department, January 14, 1848. 

Sir: It affords me pleasure to be the mediupi of transmitting to 
you the accompanying communications from the mayor and common 
council of the city of New York, tendering to you an invitation to 
visit that city, and receive the welcome which I am very sure will 
there await you, should you comply with their request. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

Major General Z. Taylor, U. S. Army , 

Baton Rouge , Louisiana. 













. 


' 

• , 

- 














- 


-■ 

* 










- K , 





INDEX TO DOCUMENTS 

ACCOMPANYING 

THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 


Correspondence with Major General Scott. 

Page 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, November 19, 1846.... 26 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, November 23, 1846.. 26 

do do November 25, 1846.. 27 

do do December 7, 1846... 27 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, December 21,1846, (en¬ 
closing copy of). 28 

Letter to General Taylor, December 20, 1846. 29 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, December 14, 1846... 30 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, December 23, 1846 (en¬ 
closing copies of). 30 

Letter to General Brooke, December 23, 1846. 31 

do Commodore Connor, December 23, 1846. 32 

Genera Scott to the Secretary of War, December 30, 1846.. .. 34 

do do January 12, 1847, (en¬ 
closing copies of).. 34 

Letter to Commodore Connor, December 26, 1846. 36 

do from General Tctylor, December 26, 1846. 38 

do to do January 3, 1847. 38 

Col. Clarke to General Patterson, December 27, 1846.... 40 

Letter to General Butler, January 3, 1847. 41 

do do January 8, 1847. 43 

do General Brooke, January 12, 1847.. 45 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, January 24, 1847, (en¬ 
closing copies of). 46 

Captain Lincoln to Major Bliss, January 6, 1847. 47 

Letter from General Butler, January 9, 1847, (enclosing 

copies of)... 48 

Order, No. 23, January 8, 1847. 49 

Letter from General Worth, January 9, 1847. 50 

do from General Taylor, January 15, 1847. 51 

do do January 15, 1847..... 52 

do to do January 26, 1847. 54 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, January 26, 1847. 55 

do do January 28, 1847, (en¬ 
closing copies of). 56 

Order to Colonel Harney, January 22, 1847.. 57 


























it INDEX. 

Page, 

Reply of Colonel Harney, January 23, 1847 . 57 

Letter to do January 24, 1847. 58 

do from Colonel Harney, January 25, 1847. 59 

Charges against Colonel Harney. 60 

Letter to Colonel Harney, January 28, 1847. 60 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, January 4, 1847. 61 

do do February 15, 1847... 63 ♦ 

do do February 22, 1847... 64 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, February 4, 1847, (en¬ 
closing copies of).. 65 

Letter from,Commodore Connor, January 11, 1847 . 68 

do do General Patterson, January 24, 1847. 69 

do to do January 29, 1847. 70 

do from General Worth, January 30, 1847. 71 

do to Colonel Clarke, January 31, 1847. 71 

do to Commodore Saunders, February 1, 1847...... .. 72 

do to Captain Hetzel, February 2, 1847. 72 

Reply of do February 2, 1847. 74 

Letter from Colonel Harney, January 28, 1847. 75 

do to Captain Mackall, judge advocate, Jan. 30, 1847.. 75 

Colonel Harney’s address to the court martial, January 31, 


Letter to Captain Mackall, judge advocate, Jan. 31,1847.. 76 

do from General Worth, January 24, 1847. 77 

General orders, No. 11, February 2, 1847. 77 

Colonel Harney to General Worth, February 3, 1847. 78 

Letter to Colonel Harney, February 3, 1847. 79 

do to General Worth, February 3, 1847. 79 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, February 5, 1837, (en¬ 
closing copy of). 79 

Letter from General Taylor, January £6, 1847. 80 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, February 12, 1847, (en¬ 
closing copies of). •••• . 81 

Letter from Commodore Connor, January 18, 1847. 82 

do to General Patterson, February 9, 1847. 83 

Memorandum of Captain Hetzel, February 9, 1847. 84 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, February 28,1847, (en¬ 
closing copies of).‘. 86 

Memorandum for General Worth, February 14, 1847. 88 

Letter to Commodore Connor, February 19, 1847...... 89 

do to General Patterson, February 19, 1847. 90 

Report from Colonel Totten, February 19, 1847. 91 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, March 1, 1847, (en¬ 
closing copy of). 92 

General orders, No. 37, February 28, 1847... 92 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, March 13, 1847. 93 

do do March 22, 1847. 96 

do do April 12, 1S47. 97 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, April 5,1847, (enclos¬ 
ing copies of)..... 98 

Extract of letter to General Jesup, January 11, 1847. 102 












































INDEX. 


in 


Page. 

Extract of letter to Captain Hetzel. 102 

Memorandum for General Jesup, March 19, 1847......... 103 

General order, No. 87, April 1, 1847.-. 104 

do No. 91, April 3, 1847 . 104 

Report from Colonel Harney, April 4, 1847. 105 

do General Quitman, April 7, 1847, (enclosing 

copy of). 107 

Report of Captain Mason, April 6, 1847. 108 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, April 8, 1847, (enclos¬ 
ing copy of). 110 

General orders, No. 94, April 6, 1847. Ill 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, April 30, 1847, (en¬ 
dorsing) ... 112 

Statement of the Adjutant General, April 26, 1847. 114 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, April 11, 1847, for¬ 
warded by Lieutenant Scammon, (enclosing copies of). 118 

General orders, No. 75, March 28, 1847. 120 

Tariff established by General Worth and * Commander 

McClung, April 3, 1847 . 121 

General Worth’s order, No. 1, March 29, 1847. 122 


do 

do 

No. 3, March 30, 1847. 


do 

do 

No. 4, March 31, 1847. 


do 

do 

No. 5, April 1, 1847. 


do 

do 

No. 6, April 1, 1847. 


do 

do 

No. 7, April 1, 1847. 


General orders. 

, No. 

101, April 9,1847. 



General Worth’s order, No. —, April 9, 1847. 126 

Letter to General Patterson, April 9, 1847.. 126 

Proclamation to the Mexican people, April 11, 1847. 127 

Statement of Nicholas Dorich... 128 

General orders, No. 103, April 10, 1847. 129 

do No. 108, April 12, 1847. 129 


Report of General Twiggs, April 11, 1847 


do 

The Secretary 

Pillow. 

of War to General Scott, 

April 14, 1847. 

do 

do 

April 14, 1847. 

do 

do 

May 14, 1847. 

do 

do 

May 17, 1847 .. 

do 

do 

May 19, 1847. 


129 


130 


134 

136 


General Scott to the Secretary of War, April 28, 1847, (en 

closing). 

Letter to Colonel Wilson, April 23, 1847.. ...... 

do General Worth, April 23, 1847 . 138 

do do Taylor, April 24, 1847 . 138 

do do Cadwalader, April 25, 1847 . 140 

GeneraPSalas’s proclamation, April 21, 1847. 141 


Extract from El Monitor, April 21, 1847. 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, May 20, 1847. 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, May 6, 1847, (enclos¬ 
ing). 

Order to Colonel Wilson, May 3, 1847.. 


141 

143 

144 

145 














































IV 


INDEX. 


Page. 

General orders, No. 135, May 4, 1847.’. .... 145 

Letter to General Quitman, May 6, 1847. 147 

do General Worth, May 6, 1847 . ... 147 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, May 7,1847, (enclosing) 148 

Letter to Mr. Trist, May 7, 1847,. 149 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, May 31, 1847. 150 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, May 20, 1847, (enclos¬ 
ing). 153 

Extract of letter from General Worth, May 19, 1847..., 157 
Proclamation to the Mexican people, Spanish, May 11, 


Same in English, May 11, 1847... 161 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, June 15, 1847. 164 

do do June 15, 1847. 165 

Explant or y Papers. 

The Secretary of War to the Secretary of the Navy, March 

14, 1848 .•. 167 

The Secretary of the Navy, March 15, 1848, (furnishing copies 

of). 167 

His letter to Commodore Perry, March 27, 1847, (with).. 167 

do from James Rogers, March 21, 1847. 168 

do do March 25, 1847. 171 

Mr. Atocha to Mr. Rogers, March 23, 1847.. 171 

Report from Commodore Perry, April 29, 1847, (with copies 

of).... 172 

Letter from Lieutenant Semmes, April 27, 1847. 172 

do to Don M. Baranda. April 27, 1847 . 173 

do Lieutenant Semmes, April 28, 1847. 174 

do General Scott, April 28, 1847 . 174 

Report from Gommodore Perry, May 27, 1847, (with copies of) 175 

Letter from Lieutenant Semmes, May 5, 1847 . 175 

do do May 10, 1847 . 177 

Lieutenant Semmes to General Scott, May 8, 1847. 178 

General Scott to Lieutenant Semmes, May 9, 1847. 179 

Letter to Lieutenant Semmes, May 27, 1847. 180 

do General Scott, May 27, 1847 . 181 

Memorandum of Captain Aulick, April 12, 1847. 182 

Note of Lieutenant Semmes, April 27, 1847. 182 

Despatch to Commodore Perry, June 21, 1847 . 182 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, June 4, 1847 (enclosing) 183 

Report from General Worth, May 15, 1847 . 184 

Letter to Mr. Trist, May 29, 1847. 186 

do Colonel Childs, June 3, 1847. 187 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, July 12, 1847 . 188 

do do July 19, 1847 . 192 

do do August 6, 1847....... 194 

Acting do do September 1, 1847... 195 

do do September 23, 1847 . 196 

do do October 6, 1847. 196 







































INDEX. 


v 


Page. 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, October 22, 1847_ 199 

do do October 22, 1847 [2d] 199 

do . do October 24, 1847_200 

do do October 26, 1847_ 200 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, July 25, 1847. 201 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, November 8, 1847. .. 204 
The Secretary of War to General Scott, November 19, 1847... 204 
Papers transmitted by General Scott— 

Letter to General Pillow, October 2, 1847. 205 

do from General Pillow, October 3, 1847. 206 

do to General Pillow, October 3, 1847. 207 

do from General Pillow, October 3, 1847,. 208 

do to General PTlow, October 4, October 4, 1847.... 210 

Papers forwarded by General Scott, October 27, 1847, (viz:) 

Letter from General Quitman, May 29, 1847. 211 

do from General Quitman, May 30, 1847. 211 

do to General Quitman, May 31, 1847. 212 

do from General Quitman, June 3, 1847. 213 

do from General Quitman, October 25, 1847. 215 

Endorsement by General Scott, October 27, 1847. 216 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, October 27, 1847, (en- 216 

closing). 217 

Letter to Colonel Wilson, October 13, 1847. 218 

General Santa Anna to Colonel Childs, September 25,1847.. 219 
Colonel Childs to General Santa Anna, September 25, 1847.. 220 

Report from General Lane, October 18, 1847. 220 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, November 27, 1847.. 221 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, December 4, 1847, (en¬ 
closing). 223 

Letter from Commodore Shubrick, November 16, 1847... 225 

do to Commodore Shubrick, December 2, 1847. 225 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, December 14, 1847.. 227 
General Scott to the Secretary of War, December 13, 1847.. 228 

do to the Secretary of War, December 14, 1847.. 229 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, January 13, 1847, (en¬ 
closing).230 

General orders, No. 2, January 13, 1847. 233 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, January 13, 1848.... 234 
The Secretary of War to General Scott, January 19, 1848, (en¬ 
closing) . 235 

General orders, No. 3, January 17, 1848. 235 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, December 17, 1847... 236 
General Scott to the Secretary of War, December 25,1847, (en¬ 
closing) . 237 

General orders, No. 376, December 15, 1847. 240 

Memoir on exports of precious metals.. 241 

Letter from the Archbishop of Mexico, November 5, 1847 244 

Reply to the Archbishop, November 10, 1847. 245 

Letter from the Archbishop, December 16,1847. 246 

do to the Archbishop, December 21, 1847. 247 




























Vi 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Letter from the Archbishop, December 23, 1847. 247 

Archbishop’s address to the prisoners, &c. 248 

The Secretary of War to General Scott, March 11, 1848, (en¬ 
closing) .'. 249 

General Jesup’s report on clothing, February 18, 3847.... 250 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, January 6, 1848. 251 

General orders, No. 395, December 31, 1847. 253 

do No. 8, January 5, 1848. 256 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, January 13, 1848, (en¬ 
closing) ..... 257 

Report from General Marshall, January 3, 1848. 258 

do from General Marshall, January 6, 18l8, (with).. 258 

do from Col. D. H. Miles, January 5, 1848. 259 

Revenues of Mexico in 1844. * . 260 

Circular to Commanders of Departments, January 6, 1848 261 
Papers transmitted by General Scott, January 14, 1848, (viz:) 

Letter of Lieutenant Gore, 4th Infantry, January 2, 1848. 261 
Papers transmitted by General Scott, January 14, 1848, (viz:) 

Letter of Lieut. Dent, 5th Infantry, October 5, 1847. 263 

do do do January 11, 1848.... 265 

Papers forwarded by General Scott, January 14, 1848, (viz:) 

Letter of Captain Hoffman, 6th infantry, December 18, 

1847 ..... 266 

Papers forwarded by General Scott, January 14, 1848, (viz:) 

Letter of General Worth, December 29, 1847. 267 

Papers forwarded by General Scott, January 14, 1848, (viz:) 

Report of Colonel Irwin, 2d regiment Ohio infantry, Jan¬ 
uary 8, 1848. 269 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, February 2, 1818, (en¬ 
closing) . 271 

Letter from Commodore Shubrick, December 17, 1847.... 273 
General Scott to the Secretary of War, February 6, 1848, (en¬ 
closing) . 275 

Account with Major E. Kirby, paymaster.276 

Major Kirby’s draft for $100,000. 276 

General Scott to the Secretary of War, February 9, 1848. 277 

appendix. 

J. P. Demora to General Santa Anna, April 13, 1847 . 277 

Report of Colonel E. A. Hitchcock, acting inspector general, 
April 24, 1847. 279 


























INDEX. 


yii 


Correspondence with General Taylor . 

Page, 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, January 14, 1847, 

(enclosing).... *. 285 

Report from Lieutenant Colonel May, January 2, 1847. .. 285 
General Taylor to the Adjutant General, January 26, 1847.... 287 
do do do January 26, 1847.... 288 

do do do January 26, 1847 .... 289 

do do do January 26, 1847.... 289 

do do do January 27, 1847.... 290 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, January 29, 1847, 

(enclosing). 292 

Letter of Colonel McIntosh, December 2, 1846. 292 

do do December 2, 1846’. 294 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, January 30, 1847, 

(enclosing). 296 

Letter of General Wool, January 27, 1847.. 296 

do do January 29, 1847. 298 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, February 4, 1847.... 299 
General Taylor to the Adjutant General, February 7, 1847, 

(enclosing).*. 300 

List of men captured at Encarnacion. 301 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, February 14, 1847.. 303 

List of casualties at Monterey, continued. 304 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, February 25, 1847... 305 
Officers killed’ and wounded at Buena Vista, February 23, 

1847 . 305 

The Secretary of War to General Taylor, April 3, 1847. 307 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, March 14, 1S47. 308 

do do do March 15, 1847. 309 

do do do March 20, 1847. 309 

do do do March 20, 1847. 311 

The Secretary of War to General Taylor, May 6, 1847 . 311 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, March 22, 1847 . 313 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, March 28, 1847, (en¬ 
closing) . 315 

Proclamation of General Santa Anna, March 14, 1847.... 315 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, April 3, 1847. 316 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, April 4, 1847, (en¬ 
closing). 317 

Report of Colonel Doniphan, March 20, 1847. 318 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, April 11, 1847. 319 

do " do do April 20, 1847. 320 

do do do April 21, 1847. 321 

do do do April 25, 1847. 322 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, May 2, 1847, (en¬ 
closing) . 322 

Orders, No. 46, May 6, 1847.... 323 

do No. 47, May 8. 1847.... 324 






























INDEX. 


viii 

Pago 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, May 9, 1847. 324 

do do do May 9, 1847. 325 

do do do May 15, 1847. 326 

do do do May 16, 1847. 327 

The Secretary of War to General Taylor, April 17, 1847. 327 

General Taylor to the Secretary of War, May 16, 1847. 327 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, May 23, 1847, (en¬ 
closing). 328 

Letter from General Yillamil, May 10 , 1847. 329 

Reply to General Yillamil, May 19, 1847.. 331 

Proclamation to the Mexicans, March 22 , 1847.. 332 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, May 26, 1847, (en¬ 
closing) . 333 

Report of Captain Reid, Missouri volunteers, May 21 , 1847 334 
General Taylor to the Adjutant General, May 27, i 847 , (en¬ 
closing . 335 

Orders, No. 60, May 27, 1847. 336 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, May 28, 1847. ...... 336 

do do do May 29, 1847. 338 

do do do June 6 , 1847. 338 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, June 8 , 1847, (enclos- 

ing). 339 

Letter from General Scott, December 20 , 1846 . 340 

do do January 3, 1847. 341 

General Scott to General Butler, January 3 , 1847 . 343 

Letter from General Scott, January 6 , 1847. 346 

do to General Scott, January 15, 1847. 347 

do do January 15, 1847. 348 

do do January 26, 1847. 349 

do from General Scott, January 25, 1847. 350 

do do January 26, 1847. 351 

do to General Scott, February 7, 1847. 352 

do from General Scott, February 15, 1847 . 354 

do do February 13, 1847. 356 

do to General Scott, February 13, 1847 . 357 

do do March 1 , 1847. 353 

do do March 20,1847. 359 

do from General Scott, March 17, 1847 . 359 

do to General Scott, April 16, 1847 ... 360 

do from General Scott, April 24,1847. 361 

do to General Scott, May 16, 1847. 362 

do do May 23, 1847.. ’. 354 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, June 8 , 1847 . 365 

do do do June 8 , 1847........ 366 

do do do June 8 , 1847 . 366 

do do do June 16, 1847.. 367 

do do do June 16, 1847. 368 

do do do June 16, 1847. 369 

do do do June 23, 1847 . 369 

do do . do June 30, 1847 . 370 

do do do July 6 , 1847.... 37 Q 


















































INDEX. 


IX 


General Taylor to the Adjutant General, July 13, 1847, (en¬ 
closing) .. 371 

Return of subsistence issued to Mexican prisoners, April 

28, 1847. 372 

List of officers and men captured by the enemy, April 25, 

1847 .*..,373 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, July 23, 1847.. e ... 376 

do do do July 27, 1847. 376 

do do do August 3, 1847. 377 

do do do August 10, 1847.... 378 

do do do August 16, 1847.... 378 

The Secretary of War to General Taylor, May 10, 1847. 379 

do do do May 11, 1847.... 380 

The President to General Taylor, May 12, 1847. 380 

The Secretary of War to General Taylor, May 14, 1847. 380 

do do do May 17, 1847.... 381 

do do do June 14, 1847.... 382 

do do do June 26, 1847.... 382 

do do do July 15, 1847.... 383 

do do do July 17, 1847.... 385 

General Taylor to the Secretary of War, August 16, 1847..... 385 
do do Adjutant General, August 24, 1847. .. 385 

do do do August 31, 1847... 386 

do do do September 7, 1847. 387 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, September 14, 1847, 

(enclosing copy of). 387 

Report of Colonel Belknap, September 9, 1847. 388 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, September 21, 1847. .. 389 
do do do September 28, 1847. 390 

do do do October 4, 1847.,... 390 

do do do October 12, 1847.... 391 

do do do October 19, 1847.... 392 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, October 25, 1847, 

(enclosing copies of).. 392 

Letter to General Mejia, March 28, 1846. 393 

do do March 30, 1846. 393 

do from General Mejia, March 31, 1846. 394 

do from General Arista, April 24, 1846. 395 

do to General Arista, April 25, 1846. 3y(> 

do from General Arista, May 17, 1846.'.. 396 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, November 2, 1847. .. 397 
The Secretary of War to General Taylor, October 18, 1847. .. 398 
do do do October 25, 1847. 398 

The Adjutant General to General Taylor, November 6, 1847... 400 
General Taylor to the Adjutant General, November 14, 1847, 

(enclosing copy of). 401 

Report of Lieutenant Campbell, 2d dragoons, November 3, 

1847. 402 

General Taylor to the Adjutant General, November 23, 1847... 403 
do do do November 24, 1847. 404 

do do do November25, 1847. 404 

The Secretary of War to General Taylor, January 14, 1848.,, 405 








































. 








. 




‘ 


































• 
































. • . : j - 

, *' 







THIRTIETH CONGRESS—FIRST SESSION. 


Ex. Doc. No 59. - v 

U .h A-* 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 


CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF WAR 
AND GENERAL SCOTT. 


MESSAGE 

OF THE 

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 


TRANSMITTING 

The correspondence between the Secretary of War and Major Gen¬ 
eral Scott , with the accompanying documents , in compliance with 
the resolution of the House of Representatives of the Ylth instant . 

_ « 


April 26, 1848. 

Laid upon the table, and ordered to be printed. 


To the House of Representatives of the United States: 

I communicate, herewith, a report of the Secretary of War, with 
accompanying documents, submitted by him as embracing the pa¬ 
pers and the correspondence between the Secretary of War and 
Major General Scott, called for by the resolution of the House of 
Representatives of the 17th instant. 

r JAMES K. POLK. 

Washington, April 25, 1848. 


War Department, April 24, 1848. 

Sir: Pursuant to your request, 1 herewith submit to you copies 
of all the correspondence and papers called for by the resolution of 
the House of Representatives, of the 17th instant. Among the pa¬ 
pers herewith, are copies of the “ memoranda,” or projets, of the 
27th of October, and 12th, 16th, and the 21st of November, 1846. 

Though presented to, or laid before, the Secretary of War by 












2 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


Major General Scott while in this city, they were not considered 
as a part of the “ correspondence” between them, and, consequent¬ 
ly, were not embraced in the former resolution of the House. 
There being no “letters or despatches” of these dates, it is presumed 
that the last resolution has reference to these memoranda, or “me¬ 
morials,” as they are called in the accompanying letter from Major 
General Scott, of February 24, 1848, and are furnished together 
with the correspondence. In addition to these, I have also inclu¬ 
ded a few other memoranda presented by him to me since the com¬ 
mencement of the war, being all of that character in this office. I 
have not included in these memoranda endorsements by Major 
General Scott on letters which passed through his hands, directed 
or referred to the Secretary of War. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

To the President 

Of the United States. 


Memorandum of correspondence and papers furnished , in compli¬ 
ance with the resolution of the House of Representatives , dated 
April 17, 1848. 


General Scott to the Secretary of War.February 24, 1848. 

The Secretary cf War to General Scott.April 21, 1848. 

General Jesup to the Secretary of War.February 18, 1848. 

Same to the same.. April 17, 1848. 

Same to the same.April 18, 1848. 

Memorandum of General Scott, relative to 
new appointments of assistant adjutant gen¬ 
eral .June 19, 1846. 

Memorandum of General Scott, submitting 

papers relative to prisoners of war... June 23, 1846. 

Memorandum of General Scott, relative to 

military chest.July 2, 1846.. 

Remarks of General Scott on letter of Gover¬ 
nor Edwards, respecting an increase of 
General Kearny’s command.July 17, 1846. 

Order proposed by General Scott, assigning 

General Worth to his brevet rank.September 5, 1846. 

Projet by General Scott, on the subject of 

martial law .October 8, 1846. 

Remarks of General Scott, on the authority of 
the President to confer brevets during the 
recess of the Senate.October, 1846. 

List of persons recommended by General 
Scott for the place of assistant adjutant 
general.. October, 1846. 
















Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


3 




Memorial.—Vera Cruz and its castle.October 27, 1846. 

Do Vera Cruz and its castle—sup- 

i-jM’ plement.November 12, 1846. 

Do [Memorandums lor the Secretary 

of War.November 16, 1846. 

Do Memorandums for the Secretary 

of War.November 21, 1846. 

Notes suggesting topics to be embraced in in¬ 
structions to General Scott.November 23, 1846. 


General Scott to the Secretary of War. 

Mexico, February 24, 1848. 

Sir: On the 18th instant, I received your two letters, of the 13th 
ultimo, and, immediately issued the general order, No. 59, (a copy 
enclosed,) devolving the command of the army in Mexico upon 
Major General Butler. 

As the officers detailed for the court of enquiry before which I 
am ordered to appear as a criminal, are not known to have arrived 
in the country, I avail myself of a moment’s leisure to recall some 
of the neglects, disappointments, injuries and rebukes, which have 
been inflicted upon me by the War Department, since my departure 
from Washington, November 23, 1846. 

To me, the business of re-crimination, however provoked, has 
ever been painful. In this summary I shall, therefore, indulge in 
no wantonness of language, but confine myself t« naked historical 
facts, leaving conclusions to men of sense and candor. 

In the hurry of preparation for Mexico, (only four days were al¬ 
lowed me at Washington—when twenty might have been most ad¬ 
vantageously employed in the great bureaux—those of the chief en¬ 
gineers, chief of ordnance, chief quartermasters and chief commissary 
of subsistence,) I handed to you a written request that one of 
three of our accomplished captains, therein named, might be ap¬ 
pointed assistant adjutant general, with the rank of major, for duty 
with me in the field, and there was a vacancy, at the time, for one. 
My request has never been attended to, and thus I have had no of¬ 
ficer of the adjutant general’s department with me in the campaign. 
Can another instance be cited of denying to a general-in-chief, in 
the field, at the head of a large army, or even a small one, the 
selection of his chief of the staff—that is, the chief in the depart¬ 
ment of orders and correspondence? 

Early in the following January, I asked that a general court mar¬ 
tial might be appointed, on the part of the President, for the trial 
of two officers (named by me) for conduct each had committed, 
that endangered, in a high degree, the success of the impending 
campaign; and I specially referred to the anomalous and fatal act 
of Congress, (May 29, 1830,) which prohibited me, as the “accuser 
or prosecutor,” from ordering the court for the trial of the cases. 








4 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


My application has never been noticed. This neglect alone ought 
early to have admonished me that I had no hope of support at 
Washington, in any attempt I might make (against certain officers) 
to maintain necessary discipline in the army I was about to lead 
into the field. 

I left Washington highly flattered with the confidence and kind¬ 
ness the President had just shown me, in many long personal inter¬ 
views on military matters. For more than two months my express¬ 
ions of gratitude were daily and fervent, nor were they much less 
emphatic towards the head of the War Department. Proceeding 
with zeal and confidence in my most hazardous duties, I learned, 
January 27, at the Brazos San Jago, that an attempt was on foot to 
create a lieutenant general to take command in the field over me. 
Shocked and distressed, I allowed of no relaxation in my efforts to 
serve my country, resolved that, for the short time I was likely to 
remain in commission, to be 

u True as the dial to the sun, 

Altho’ it be not shined upon.” 

A yet greater outrage soon followed: failing to obtain an act for 
the citizen lieutenant general, a bill was pressed upon Congress to 
authorize the placing a junior major general, just appointed, (the 
same individual,) in command over all the old major generals then 
in front of the enemy! 

I will not here trust myself to add a soldier’s comment upon those 
attempts, but I may thank God that He did not allow them, or sub¬ 
sequent injuries, to break down, entirely, the spirit and abilities 
(such as they are) with which He had endowed me. 

Foreseeing at Washington that, from the great demands of com¬ 
merce at the moment, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to 
take up, perhaps at any price, a sufficient number of vessels at New 
Orleans and Mobile to transport the regiments of my expedition 
from the Rio Grande frontier to Vera Cruz, I endeavored to impress 
upon the War Department the necessity of sending out from the 
northern and eastern ports a certain number of large ships in bal¬ 
last, in order that the expedition might not be delayed, and in view 
of u the fixed fact,” the return of the vomito at Vera Cruz in the 
spring of the year, a delay of a few weeks was likely to prove a 
total defeat. 

In a paper transmitted to me, headed “ memorandum for the 
quartermaster general,” marked “ War Department, December 15, 
1846,” and signed by the secretary, which I received January 8, it 
is said: “ Independently of this number of transports for troops and 
ordnance stores, [from the north] there will be required, say, five 
ships for the transportation of the [surf] boats now being pre¬ 
pared, besides which, ten vessels must be taken up and sent out in 
ballast, [for troops] unless stores can be put on board, to make up 
the number (40) required by the commanding general.” 

The date of this memorandum is December 15, more than three 
weeks after my requisition and departure from Washington. Of not 
one of the u ten vessels,” in ballast, or with stores, (leaving room 




Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


5 


for troops,) have I heard up to this day. Relying upon them, con¬ 
fidently, the embarkation was delayed in whole or in part, at the 
Brazos and Tampico, from the 15th of January to the 9th of March, 
leaving, it was feared, not half the time needed for the reduction 
of Vera Cruz and its castle before the return of the yellow fever. 
But half the surf boats came at all, and of the seige train and 
ordnance stores, only about one-half had arrived when the Mexi¬ 
can flags were replaced by those of the United States on those 
formidable places. We succeeded at last in reaching the point of 
attack, in the midst of frightful northers , by means, in great part, 
of trading craft, small and hazardous, picked up accidently at the 
Brazos and Tampico, and when the army got ashore, its science 
and valor had to supply all deficiencies in heavy guns, mortars, and 
ordnance stores. 

The first letter that I received from the department, after enter¬ 
ing the captured city, contained an elaborate rebuke, (dated Feb¬ 
ruary 22,) for having ordered. Colonel Harney, 2d dragoons, to re¬ 
main in the command of the cavalry with Major General Taylor, so 
as to leave Major Sumner, of the same regiment, the senior of that 
arm, in my expedition. There was no great difference in the num¬ 
ber of cavalry companies with the two armies. 

This rebuke was written with a complacency that argued the 
highest professional experience in such matters, and could not have 
been more confident in its tone if dictated to the greenest general 
of the recent appointments. Yet, without the power of selecting 
commanders of particular corps, no general-in-chief would venture 
to take upon himself the conduct of a critical campaign. Such 
selections were always made by the father of his country, and the 
principal generals under him. So in the campaign of 1814, I my¬ 
self sent away, against their wishes, three senior field officers, of as 
many regiments, who were infirm, uninstructed, and inefficient, in 
favor of three juniors, and with the subsequent approbation of Ma¬ 
jor General Brown, on his joining me, and the head of the War 
Department. Both were well acquainted with the customs of war, in 
like cases, at home and abroad, and without that energy on my 
part, it is highly probable that no American citizen would ever 
have cited the battles of the Niagara without a sigh for his country. 
I am happy, however, that before a word had been received from 
the department, and indeed before it could have had any knowledge 
of the question, I had decided to take with me the frank and gal¬ 
lant colonel, and hope soon to learn that he and very many other 
officers have been rewarded with brevets for their highly dis¬ 
tinguished services in the campaign that followed. 

It was in reference to the same rebuke that, in acknowledging 
your communication, I said, from Yera Cruz, April 5. “I might 
very well controvert the military principles so confidently laid 
down by the department, [in the letter of the 22d February,] but 
believing that the practice of the United States army, in the two 
wars with Great Britain, would have no weight in the particular 
case , I waive further reply; having, at the moment, no leisure and 
no inclination for controversy.” 


6 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


Alluding to the heavy disappointments, in respect to transports, 
seige train, and ordnance stores, then already experienced, I wrote 
to the department from Lobos, February 28: u Perhaps no expedi¬ 
tion was ever so unaccountably delayed—by no want of foresight, 
arrangement, or energy on my part, as I dare affirm—and under cir¬ 
cumstances the most critical to this entire army; for every body 
relied upon and knew, from the first, as well as I knew, it would be 
fatal to us to attempt military operations on this coast after, proba¬ 
bly, the first week in April; and here we are at the end of Febru¬ 
ary. Nevertheless this army is in heart', and crippled as I am in 
the means required and promised , I shall go forward, and expect to 
take Yera Cruz and its castle in time to escape, by pursuing the 
enemy, the pestilence of the coast.” 

The city and castle were captured March29, and, with about one- 
fourth of the necessary means for a road train, (no fault of mine,) 
the retreat , in pursuit of the enemy, was vigorously commenced 
April 8. The battle of Cerro Gordo soon followed, and we occu¬ 
pied Jalapa and Perote, where we were obliged to wait for supplies 
from Yera Cruz. In those positions I was made to writhe under 
another cruel disappointment. 

In my four memorials, to the department, on the further prosecu¬ 
tion of the war against Mexico, written at Washington, and dated, 
respectively, October 27, November 12, 16, and 21, (it was only 
intimated to me in the night of November 18, that I might prepare 
myself for the field,) papers in which I demonstrated that Yera 
Cruz was the true base of operations, and that the enemy’s capital 
could not, probably, be reached from the Rio Grande, I estimated 
that after taking that great seaport, u about 20,000 men,” or “ an 
army of more than 20,000 men may be needed; 1. To beat, in the 
field and in passes, any accumulated force in the way; 2. To garri¬ 
son many important points in the rear, to secure a free communica¬ 
tion with Yera Cruz; and 3. To make distant detachments, in order 
to gather in, without long halts, necessary subsistence.” And that 
force, I supposed, including volunteers, and aided by land and 
money bounties, might be raised in time by adding ten or twelve 
new regiments of regulars, and filling up the ranks of the old. 

A bill was introduced for raising ten additional regular regiments, 
and I certainly do not mean to charge the department with the 
whole delay in passing the bill through Congress. But it was 
passed, February 11, 1847, and under it, by early in April, some 
few thousand men had been already raised and organized. My dis¬ 
tress may be conceived, by any soldier, on learning at Jalapa, April 
27th, that the whole of that force had been sent, under Brigadier 
General Cadwalader, to the Rio Grande frontier. 

In my letter to the department, written the day after, I said, I had 
expected that u detachments of the new regiments, would, as you 
had promised me, begin to arrive in this month, and continue to 
follow perhaps into June.” “ How many (volunteers) will re-engage 
under the act appro-ved March 3, (only received two days ago,) I 
know not; probably but few. Hence, the greater my disappoint¬ 
ment caused by sending the new troops to the Rio Grande; for, 





Ex. Doc. No. 5d. 


besides their keeping the road in our present rear open for many 
weeks, by marches in successive detachments, I had intended, as I 
advanced, to leave strong garrisons in this place, [Jalapa,] in Perote, 
and Puebla, and to keep at the head of the movement, a force equal 
to any probable opposition. It may now depend on the number of 
the old volunteers who may re-engage, and the number of new 
troops that may arrive from the Brazos, in time; as also, in some 
degree, upon the advance of Major General Taylor, whether I shall 
find this army in strength to leave the garrisons and to occupy the 
capital. 55 

I may add, that only about fifty individuals of the old volunteers 
re-engaged under the provisions of the act of March 3; that the 
remainder were discharged May 4; that Major General Taylor 
made no movement in advance of Saltillo, and that the new regu¬ 
lars, including Cadwalader 5 s brigade, only began to come up with 
me, at Puebla, in July, but not in sufficient numbers till August 
6. The next day the army commenced its advance upon the capi¬ 
tal with a little more than 10,000 effective men. 

It is not extravagant to say that, if Brigadier General Cadwala- 
der’s forces had not been diverted from me, to the Rio Grande, 
where he was made to lose, without any benefit to Major General 
Taylor, much precious time, I might easily have taken this city in 
the month of June, and at one-fifth of the loss sustained in August 
and September. The enemy availed himself of my forced delay, 
at Puebla, to collect, to treble; to organize, and discipline his forces, 
as also to erect numerous and powerful defences with batteries. 
Nearly all those extraordinary preparations, for our reception, were 
made after the middle of June. And it is known that the news of 
the victory of Buena Yista reached Washington in time to counter¬ 
mand Cadwalader’s orders for the Rio Grande, before his departure 
from New Orleans. Two rifle companies with him received the 
countermand there and joined me early. 

I know that I had the misfortune to give offence to the depart¬ 
ment by expressing myself to the same effect, from Jalapa, May 6. 
In a report of that date, I said: 

u The subject of that order (No. 135—old volunteers) has given 
me long and deep solicitude. To part with so large and so re¬ 
spectable a portion of this army in the middle of a country, which, 
though broken in its power, is not yet disposed to sue for peace; 
to provide for the return home of seven regiments, from^ this in¬ 
terior position, at a time when I find it quite difficult to provide 
transportation and supplies for the operating forces which remain; 
and all this without any prospect of succor or reinforcement, in 
perhaps, the next seven months—beyond some 300 army recruits— 
present novelties utterly unknown , to any invading army before. 
With the addition of ten or twelve thousand new levies in April and 
May—asked for, and, until very recently, expected—or even with the 
addition of two or three thousand new troops, destined for this army, 
but suddenly, by the orders of the War Department, diverted to 
the Rio Grande frontier, I might, notwithstanding the unavoidable 
discharge of the old volunteers—seven regiments and two indepen- 


8 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


dent companies—advance with confidence upon the enemy’s capi¬ 
tal. I shall nevertheless advance; but whether beyond Puebla, 
will depend on intervening information and reflection. The gen¬ 
eral panic given to the enemy, at Cerro Gordo, still remaining, I 
think it probable that we shall go to Mexico, or, if the enemy re¬ 
cover from that, we must renew the consternation by another 
blow.” 

Thus, like Cortez, finding myself isolated and abandoned, and 
again like him, always afraid that the next ship or messenger might 
recall or farther cripple* me, I resolved no longer to depend on 
Vera Cruz or home, but to render my little army u a self-sustain¬ 
ing machine ”—as I informed everybody, including the head of the 
War Department—and advanced to Puebla. 

It was in reference to the foregoing serious causes of complaint 
and others to be found in my reports at large—particularly in re¬ 
spect to money for the disbursing staff officers, clothing, and Mr : 
Trist, commissioner—that I concluded my report from Puebla, 
June 4, in these words: 

u Considering the many cruel disappointments and mortification 
I have been made to feel since I left Washington, and the total 
want of support or sympathy on the part of the War Department, 
which I have so long experienced, I beg to be recalled from this 
army the moment it may bfe safe for any perso’n to embark at Vera 
Cruz; which, I suppose, will be early in November. Probably all 
field operations will be over long before that time.” 

But my next report (July 25th) from Puebla, has, no doubt, in the 
end , been deemed more unpardonable by the department. In that 
paper, after speaking of the a happy change in my relations, both 
official and private, with Mr. Trist,” I continued: 

u Since about the 26th ultimo, [June,] our intercourse has been 
frequent and cordial, and I found him [Mr. T. ] able, discreet, cour¬ 
teous, and amiable. At home, it so chanced, that we had had but 
the slightest possible acquaintance with each other. Hence, more 
or less of reciprocal prejudice, and of the existence of his feelings 
towards me, I knew (by private letters) before we met, that at 
least a part of the cabinet had a full intimation. 

u Still, the pronounced misunderstanding between Mr. Trist and 
myself could not have occurred, but for other circumstances: 1. 
His being obliged to send forward your letter ot Aprill 14th, in¬ 
stead of delivering it in person, with the explanatory papers which 
he desired to communicate; 2. His bad health in May and June, 
which, I am happy to say has now become good; and 3. The ex¬ 
treme mystification into which your letter—and particularly an in¬ 
terlineation—unavoidably threw me. 

<£ So far as I am concerned, I am perfectly willing that all I 
have heretofore written to the department about Mr. Trist, should 
be suppressed. I make this declaration as due to my present es¬ 
teem for that gentlemen; but ask no favor, and desire none, at the 
hands of the department. Justice to myself, however tardy, I shall 
take care to have done. * * * * * * 

“I do nQt acknowledge the justice of either of your rebukes con- 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


9 


tained in^the letter of May 31, [in relation to Mr. Trist and the 
prisoners at Cerro Gordo,J and that I do not here triumphantly 
vindicate myself, is not from the want of will, means, or ability, 
but time. 

cc The first letter (dated February 22) received from you at Vera 
Cruz, contained a censure, and I am now rebuked for the unavoid¬ 
able—nay, wise, if it had not been unavoidable—release on parole 
of the prisoners taken at Cerro Gordo; even before one word of 
commendation from government has reached this army on account 
of its gallant conduct in the capture of those prisoners. [No such 
commendation has yet been received, February, 1848.] So, in 
regular progression, I may—should the same army gallantly bear 
me into the city of Mexico, in the next six or seven weeks, which 
is probable, if we are not arrested by a peace or a truce—look to be 
dismissed from the service of my country! You will perceive that 
I am aware (as I have long been) of the dangers which hang over 
me at home; but I, too, am a citizen of the United States, and well 
know the obligations imposed, under all circumstances, by an en¬ 
lightened patriotism. 

u In respect to money, I beg again to report that the chief com¬ 
missary (Captain Grayson) of this army, has not received a dollar 
from the United States, since we landed at Vera Cruz, March 9. 
He now owes more than $200,000, and is obliged to purchase, on 
credit, at great disadvantages. The chief quartermaster (Captain 
Irwin) has received perhaps $60,000 dollars, and labors under like 
incumbrances. Both have sold drafts to small amounts, and bor¬ 
rowed largely of the pay department, which has received about 
half the money estimated for. Consequently the troops have some 
four months’ pay due them. Our poverty, or the neglect of the 
disbursing departments at home, has been made known, to our 
shame, in the papers of the capital here, through a letter from 
Lieutenant Colonel Hunt, that was found on the person of the spe¬ 
cial messenger from Washington. 

t( The army is also suffering greatly from the want of necessary 
clothing, including blankets and great-coats. The new troops, 
(those who have last arrived,) as destitute as the others, were first 
told that they would find abundant supplies at New Orleans; next, 
at Yera Cruz, and finally here; whereas, we now have, perhaps, a 
thousand hands engaged in making shoes and (out of bad materials 
and at high cost) pantaloons. These articles, about 3,000 pairs of 
each, are absolutely necessary to cover the nakedness of the troops. 

u February 28th, off Lobos, I wrote to Brigadier General Brooke, 
to direct the quartermaster at New Orleans to send to me large 
supplies of clothing. March 16 and 23, General Brooke replied that 
the quartermaster at New Orleans, had i neither clothing nor shoes,’ 
and that he was < fearful that unless they have been sent out to you 
direct, you will be much disappointed.’ 

u Some small quantity of clothing, perhaps one-fifth of our 
wants, came to Vera Cruz, from some quarter, and followed us to 
Jalapa and this place.” 

I must here specially remark, that this report, No. 30, though 


10 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


forwarded the night of its date, (July 25,) seems to have mis¬ 
carried. Perceiving, about November 27, that it was not acknow¬ 
ledged by the department, I caused a duplicate to be made, signed 
it, and sent it off by the same conveyance with my despatch No. 
36, and the charges against Brevet Major General Worth, Major 
General Pillow, and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, together 
with the appeal against me, of the former. All these papers are 
acknowledged by the department in the same letter, January 13, 
that recalls me. 

It was that budget of papers that caused the blow of power, so 
long suspended, to fall on a devoted head. The three arrested 
officers, and he who had endeavored to enforce a necessary discip¬ 
line against them, are all to be placed together before the same 
court. The innocent and the guilty, the accuser and the accused, 
the judge and his prisoners, are dealt with alike. Most impartial 
justice! But there is a discrimination with a vengeance! While the 
parties are on trial—if the appealer is to be tried at all, which 
seems doubtful—two are restored to their corps—one of them with 
his brevet rank, and I am deprived of my command. There can 
be but one step more in the same direction; throw the rules and 
articles of war into the fire, and leave all ranks in the army free 
to engage in denunciations, and a general scramble for precedence, 
authority, and executive favor. The pronunciamento , on the part 
of my factious juniors, is most triumphant. 

My recall—under the circumstances a severe punishment before 
trial, but to be followed by a trial here that may run into the autumn, 
and on matters I am but partially permitted to know by the de¬ 
partment and my accusers—is very ingeniously placed on two 
grounds: 1. My own request, meaning that of June 4, (quoted 
above, and there was no other before the department,) which had 
been previously (July 12) acknowledged and rebukingly declined. 
2. The arrest of Brevet Major General Worth, for writing t6 the 
department, “under the pretext and form of an appeal,” an open 
letter, to be sent through me, in which I was grossly and falsely 
accused of “ malice” and “ conduct unbecoming an officer and gen¬ 
tleman,” in the matter of the general order, No. 349, on the sub¬ 
ject of puffing letters for the newspapers at home. 

On that second point, the letter from the department of January 
13 is more than ingenious; it is elaborate, subtle, and profound; 
a professional dissertation, with the rare merit of teaching princi¬ 
ples, until now, wholly unknown to military codes and treatises, 
and of course to all mere soldiers, however great their experience 
in the field. 

I have not, in this place, time to do more than hint at the fatal 
consequences of the novel doctrine in question. According to the 
department, any factious junior may, at his pleasure, in the midst of 
the enemy, using “ the pretext and form of an appeal” against his 
commander, insult and outrage him to the grossest extent, though 
he be the general-in-chief, and charged with the conduct of the 
most critical operations, and that commander may not arrest the 
incipient mutineer until he shall have first laid down his own au- 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


11 


thority, and submitted himself to a trial, or wait, at least, until a 
distant period of leisure for a judicial examination of the appeal! 
And this is precisely the case under consideration. The depart 
ment, in its eagerness to condemn me, could not take time to learn 
of the experienced that the general-in-chief who once submits to 
an outrage from a junior, must lay his account to suffer the like 
from all the vicious under him; at least, down to a rank that may 
be supposed without influence in high quarters beyond the army. 
But this would not be the whole mischief to the public service. 
Even the great mass of the spirited, intelligent, and well affected, 
among his brothers in arms, would soon reduce such commander to 
utter imbecility, by holding him in just scorn and contempt for his 
recreancy to himself and country. And are discipline and efficiency 
of no value in the field ? 

But it was not my request of June 4, nor report No. 30, (of July 25,) 
so largely quoted from above, nor yet the appeal of one pronunciado , 
that has at length brought down upon me this visitation, so clearly 
predicted. That appeal, no doubt, had its merits , considering it 
came from an erratic brother—a deserter from the other extreme— 
who, having just made his peace with the true faith , was bound to 
signalize apostacy by acceptable denunciations of one for whom, 
up to Vera Cruz, he had professed (and not without cause) the 
highest obligations. (It was there he learned from me that I was 
doomed at Washington, and straightway the apostate began to 
seek, through a quarrel, the means of turning that knowledge to 
his own benefit.) No, there was (recently) still another element 
associated in the work, kept, as far as practicable, out of the let¬ 
ter of recall; an influence proceeding from the other arrested gen¬ 
eral, who is quite willing that it should generally be understood 
(and who shall gainsay his significant acquiescence?) that all re¬ 
wards and punishments in this army were, from the first, to follow 
his recommendations. This the more powerful of the pronun dados 
against No. 349 well knew, at the time, as I soon knew that he 
was justly obnoxious not only to the animadversions of that order, 
but to other censures of yet a much graver character. 

In respect to this general, the letter of recall observes, paren¬ 
thetically, but with an acumen worthy of more than <£ a hasty” 
notice, that some of my specifications of his misconduct u are 
hardly consistent with your [my] official reports and commenda¬ 
tions.” 

Seemingly this is a most just rebuke. But, waiting for the trials, 
I will here briefly state, that unfortunately I followed that gen¬ 
eral’s own reports, written and oral; that my confidence, lent him in 
advance, had been but very slightly "shaken as early as the first 
week in October; that up to that time, from our entrance into this 
city, I had been at the desk, shut out from personal intercourse 
with my brother officers, and that it was not till after that con¬ 
finement that facts, conduct, and motives, began to pour in upon 
me. 

A word as to the 5th article of war. I can truly say that in 
this and other communications, I have not designed the slightest 


12 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


disrespect to the commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the 
United States. No doubt he, like myself and all others, may fall 
intr> mistakes as to particular men; and I cannot, having myself 
been behind the curtain, admit the legal fiction that all acts of a 
secretary are the acts of the President. Yet, in my defensive 
statements, I have offered no wanton discourtesy to the head of 
the War Department, although that functionary is not in the 
enumeration of the above mentioned article. 

Closing my correspondence with the department until after the 
approaching trial, 

I have the honor to remain, respectfully, your most obedient 
servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Hon. Secretary of War. 


The Secretary of War to General Scott. 

War Department, 
Washington , April 21, 1848. 

Sir: It would not be respectful to you to pass unnoticed your 
extraordinary letter of the 24th of February, nor just to myself to 
permit it to remain unanswered on the files of this department. 

To attempt to dispel the delusions which you seem to have long 
pertinaciously cherished, and to correct the errors into which you 
have fallen, devolves upon me a duty which I must not decline; but 
in performing it I mean to be as cautious as you profess to have 
been, to abstain from any “wanton discourtesy,” and I hope to be 
alike successful. Your prudent respect for the “5th article of 
war” has induced you to hold me ostensibly responsible for many 
things which, you are aware, are not fairly chargeable to me. The 
device you have adopted to assail the President, by aiming your 
blows at the Secretary of War, does more credit to your ingenuity 
as an accuser, than to your character as a soldier. A premeditated 
contrivance to avoid responsibility does not indicate an intention 
not to do wrong. 

The general aspect of your letter discloses an evident design to 
create a belief that you were drawn forth from your quiet position 
in a bureau of this department, and assigned to the command of 
our armies in Mexico, for the purpose of being sacrificed; and that, 
to accomplish this end, “neglects, disappointments, injuries, and 
rebukes” were “inflicted” on you, and the necessary means of pro¬ 
secuting the war with success withheld; or, in other words, that 
the government, after preferring you to any other of the gallant 
generals within the range of its choice, had labored to frustrate its 
own plans, to bring defeat upon its own armies, and involve itself 
in ruin and disgrace, for an object so unimportant in its bearing 
upon public affairs. A charge so entirely preposterous, so utterly 
repugnant to all the probabilities of human conduct, calls for no 
refutation. 




Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


13 


For other purposes than to combat this fondly cherished chimera, 
it is proper that I should notice some of your specific allegations. 

It is true that, after you were designated for the chief command 
of our armies, the President was desirous that your departure 
should not be unnecessarily delayed, but you were not restricted, 
as you allege, to “only four days,” to make the necessary prepar- i 
ations at Washington. You were not ordered away until you had 
reported that these preparations were so far completed, that your 
presence here was no longer required. Then, instead of going \ 
directly to Mexico, you were permitted, at your own request, to ] 
take a circuitous route through New York, and there to remain a 
few days. You staid at New York nearly an entire week; and not 
until the 19th of December (twenty-six days after leaving Wash¬ 
ington) did you reach New Orleans, where you would have arrived 
in seven days if you had been required to take the direct route, j 
This solicited indulgence, by which your arrival at New Orleans 
was delayed nearly three weeks, is incompatible with your allega¬ 
tion that you were allowed “only four days at Washington, where 
twenty might have been most advantageously employed.” This 
complaint has relation to facts within your own knowledge; error, 
therefore, is hardly reconcileable with any solicitude to be accu¬ 
rate. As this is your opening charge against the War Department, 
and may be regarded as indicative of those which follow, I shall 
make the refutation of it still more complete, for the purpose of 
showing with what recklessness you have performed the functions 
of an accuser, and how little reliance, in the present state of your 
feelings, can be placed on your memory. You are the witness by 
whom your allegation is to be disproved. On the day of your de¬ 
parture from Washington, you left with me a paper in your own 
handwriting , dated November 23d, 1846, with the following head¬ 
ing: “Notes, suggesting topics to be embraced in the Secretary’s 
instructions to General S., drawn up (in haste) at the request of 
the former.” From that paper I extract the following paragraph: 

“I [the Secretary of War] am pleased to learn from you [Gene¬ 
ral Scott] that you have, in a very few days, already, through the 
general staff of the army here, laid a sufficient basis for the pur¬ 
poses with which you are charged, and that you now think it k best 
to proceed at once to the southwest , in order to organize the largest 
number of troops that can be obtained in time for that most important 
expedition”—the expedition against Vera Cruz. Here is your own 
most explicit admission, that you represented to the Secretary of 
War, before leaving Washington, that arrangements were so far 
completed, that you thought it best to proceed at once to the army 
in Mexico, and yet you make it your opening charge against the 
Department, that you were forced away to Mexico before you had 
time for necessary preparations. 

I present the next charge in your own language: “I handed to 
you a written request, that one of three of our accomplished cap¬ 
tains, therein named, might be appointed assistant adjutant gen¬ 
eral, with the rank of major, for duty with me in the field, and 
there was a vacancy, at the time, for one. My request has never 





14 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


been attended to; and thus I have had no officer of the adjutant 
general’s department with me in the campaign. Can another in¬ 
stance be cited of denying to a general-in-chief, in the field, at the 
head of a large army, or even a small one, the selection of his 
chief of the staff—that is } the chief in the department of orders and 
correspondence?” 

Were the case precisely as you have stated it to be, you have 
given too much prominence, as a matter of complaint, to the Pre¬ 
sident’s refusal to be controlled in the exercise of the appointing 
power by your wishes. Had there been a vacancy, such as you 
mention, for one of the “accomplished captains” you named, no 
one knows better than you do that your request could not have 
been acceded to, without departing from the uniform rule of selec¬ 
tion for staff appointments—without violating the rights of several 
officers to regular promotion, and offering an indignity to all those 
who held the position of assistant adjutants general with the rank 
of captain. The rule of regular promotion in the staff is as inflex¬ 
ible, and has been as uniformly observed, as that in the line. It 
must appear surprising that you, who were so deeply “shocked and 
distressed” at the suggestion of appointing, by authority of Con¬ 
gress, a “citizen lieutenant general,” or vesting the President with 
power to devolve the command of the army on a major general, 
without regard to priority in the date of his commission, should, in 
your first request after being assigned to command, ask the Presi¬ 
dent to disregard the rights of, at least, four officers, as meritorious 
as the “three accomplished captains” named by you. The Presi- 
■ dent’s views on this subject undoubtedly differ from yours. His 
regard for the rights of officers is not graduated by their rank. 
Those of captains and major generals have equal value in his esti¬ 
mation, and an equal claim to his respect and protection. I can¬ 
not admit that it is a just ground of censure and rebuke against the 
“head of the War Department,” that the President did not see fit, 
in order to gratify your feelings of favoritism, to disregard the 
claims, and violate the rights, of all the assistant adjutants gene¬ 
ral of the rank of captain then in commission. 

But, so far as it is made a ground of complaint and reproof, this 
is not the worst aspect of the case. You are entirely mistaken in 
the assartion that there was then a vacancy in the adjutant gene¬ 
ral’s staff, with the rank of major, to which either of the captains 
recommended by you could have been properly appointed. There 
was no such vacancy. To show the correctness of this statement, 
and to demonstrate your error, I appeal to the army register and 
the records of the adjutant general’s office. Your mistake as to 
an obvious fact, lying within the range of matters with which you 
are presumed to be familiar, has excited less surprise than the de¬ 
claration that, by the non-compliance with your request, you “have 
had no officer of the adjutant general’s department with me [you] 
in the campaign.” Every officer of that department, at least eight, 
were, as you well knew, subject to your command. When you 
arrived in Mexico there were with the army at least five assistant 
adjutants general, all at your service. That you chose to employ 



Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


15 


none of them at your head-quarters, and detached from other ap¬ 
propriate duties an officer to act as an assistant adjutant general, 
may well be regarded as a slight to the whole of that staff then with 
you in Mexico, and a cause of complaint; but certainly not a com¬ 
plaint to emanate from you against the War Department. Willing as 
I am to presume, though unable to conceive, that circumstances jus¬ 
tified you in passing over all the assistant adjutants general then 
with the army, and in selecting an officer of the line to perform 
the duties of adjutant general at your head-quarters, I was much 
surprised to learn from you that, when General Worth sent to you 
one of these u accomplished captains,” the first on your list, under 
the belief that you desired his services as an acting assistant adju¬ 
tant general, you declined to employ him in that capacity; and I 
am still more surprised to perceive that you have made it a distinct 
ground of charge in your arraignment of the War Department, that 
you were not permitted to have him as an assistant adjutant general 
at your head-quarters. Had you selected him instead of another, 
as you might have done, you would have been bereft of all pretext 
for complaint. Though there was no vacancy in the adjutant gen¬ 
eral’s staff of the grade of major, for which only you recommended 
the u accomplished captains,” and to which only they were prop¬ 
erly eligible, there was a vacancy in it of the rank of captain. 
For this position you recommended an officer in General Wool’s 
staff, then on the Chihuahua expedition. This officer was subse¬ 
quently appointed assistant adjutant general, with the rank of cap¬ 
tain, as you desired, and has ever since been at the head quarters 
of that general. Thus it will be perceived that your request, so 
far as it was proper and reasonable, was actually complied with. 

The next specification in the catalogue of charges preferred 
against me is, that a court martial was not instituted by the Presi¬ 
dent for the trial of General Marshall and Captain Montgomery on 
your charges against them. The offences imputed to them were 
certainly not of an aggravated character. The one, as was al¬ 
leged, had been incautious in relation to a despatch, under circum¬ 
stances that might admit of its coming to the knowledge of the 
enemy; and the other had not carried a despatch with as much ex¬ 
pedition as you thought he might have done. As one was a gene¬ 
ral officer, a court to try him must have been composed of officers 
of high rank. Before the order for assembling it could have 
reached Mexico, it was foreseen that your command would be at 
Vera Cruz, and probably engaged in an active siege of that city. 
Officers could not, therefore, have been then sent from your column 
to Monterey or the Rio Grande, (where the court must have been 
held,) without great detriment to the public service. Had you 
been deprived of several officers of high rank, at that critical period 
by the order of the President, it would have afforded a better pre¬ 
tence of complaint than any one in your extended catalogue. Had 
the court been composed of officers taken from General Taylor’s 
command, it would have still further weakened his condition, al¬ 
ready weak in consequence of the very large force you had with¬ 
drawn from him. Subsequent events have proved that it was most 




16 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


fortunate the President did not comply with your request, for had 
, he done so, some of the officers highest in rank and most conspic¬ 
uous at Buena Yista might, at that critical conjuncture, have been 
separated from their commands and engaged on a court at a dis¬ 
tance from that glorious scene of action. It is not fanciful to sup¬ 
pose that their absence might have changed the fortune of that 
eventful day, and that, instead of rejoicing, as we now do, in a 
triumphant victory, among the most brilliant in the whole course 
of the war, we might have had to lament a most disastrous defeat, 
and the almost total loss of the whole force you had left to sustain 
that frontier. 

No man has more reason than yourself to rejoice that no order 
emanated from Washington, though requested by you, which would 
have further impaired the efficiency of General Taylor’s command 
in the crisis that then awaited him. 

My letter of the 22d of February, conveying the President’s 
views in regard to your order depriving Colonel Harney of his ap¬ 
propriate command, is severely arraigned by you as offensive, both 
in manner and matter. 

The facts in relation to this case of alleged grievance are now 
before the public, and a brief allusion to them will place the trans¬ 
action in its true light. Under your orders Colonel Harney had 
brought seven companies of his regiment, the 2d dragoons, from 
Monterey to the Brassos, to be under your immediate command; 
and two others, being all of the regiment in Mexico, were expected 
to follow within a few days. In the midst of his high hopes and 
ardent desire for active service, you took from him the command 
of his own regiment, devolved it on one of his junior officers, and 
ordered him back to General Taylor’s line, to look for what was 
not inappropriately denominated u an imaginary command.” Out¬ 
raged in his feelings and injured in his rights, he respectfully re¬ 
monstrated; his appeal to your sense of justice was unavailing. 
Neither to this gallant officer, nor to the President, did you assign 
any sufficient or even plausible reason for this extraordinary pro¬ 
ceeding. The whole army, I believe, and the whole country, where 
the transaction became known, entertained but one opinion on the 
subject, and that was, that you had inflicted an injury and an outrage 
upon a brave and meritorious officer. Such an act, almost the first 
on your assuming command, boded disastrous consequences to the 
public service, and devolved upon the President the duty of inter¬ 
posing to protect the injured officer. This interposition you have** 
made a grave matter of accusation against the head of the War 
Department, and have characterized it as a censure and a rebuke. 

It may imply both, and still,being merited, may leave you without 
a pretence for complaint. The President, after alluding to his 
duty to sustain the rights of the officers under your command, as 
well as your own rights, informed you that he did not discover in 
the case, as you/ had presented it, sufficient cause for such an 
order; that, in his opinion, Colonel Harney had a just cause to 
complain, and that he hoped the matter had been reconsidered by 
you, and the colonel restored to his appropriate command. Your 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


17 


own subsequent course in this case demonstrates the unreasonable¬ 
ness of your complaint, and vindicates the correctness of the 
President’s proceedings. You had really rebuked and censured 
your own conduct, for even before you had received the President’s 
views, you had, as he hoped you would, reconsidered the matter, 
become convinced of your error, reversed your own order, and re¬ 
stored Colonel Harney to his command; thus giving the strongest 
evidence in favor of the propriety and correctness of all the Presi¬ 
dent had done in the case. I give you too much credit for steadi¬ 
ness of purpose, to suspect that you retraced your steps from mere 
caprice, or for any other cause than a conviction that you had 
fallen into error. After the matter had thus terminated, it appears 
unaccountable to me that you, who above all others should wish it 
to pass into oblivion, have again called attention to it by making 
it an item in your arraignment of the War Department. 

You struggle in vain to vindicate your course in this case, by re¬ 
ferring to your oWn acts in the campaign of 1814. You then sent 
away, as you allege, against their wishes, “three senior field offi¬ 
cers, of as many regiments, who were infirm , uninstructed , and in¬ 
efficient ., in favor of three juniors, and with the subsequent appro¬ 
bation of Major General Brown and the head of the War Depart¬ 
ment.” This precedent does not, in my judgment, change the as¬ 
pect of the present case. Colonel Harney was not “infirm, unin¬ 
structed, and inefficient;” you did not assign, and in deference to 
the known opinion of the army and country, you did not venture 
to assign that reason for deposing him. I do not understand the 
fo_ce of your logical deduction, that, because you, on a former oc¬ 
casion, had deprived officers under you of their commands, for good 
and sufficient reasons, with subsequent approval, you may now, 
and at any time, do the same thing, without any reason whatever; 
and if the President interposes to correct the procedure, you have a 
just cause to complain of an indignity, and a right to arraign the 
War Department. 

As your animadversion upon the tone of my letter is, probably, 
not a blow aimed at a much more conspicuous object, to be reached 
through me, I ought, perhaps, to pass it without notice. On revis¬ 
ion of that letter, I cannot perceive that it is not entirely respectful 
in manner and language. The views of the President are therein con¬ 
fidently expressed, because they were confidently entertained. It 
seems to be admitted by you that, “if dictated to the greenest general 
of the recent appointments,” the letter would not have been excep¬ 
tionable. I was not aware that it was my duty to modify and grad¬ 
uate my style, so as to meet, according to your fastidious views, the 
various degrees of greenness and ripeness of the generals, to whom 
I am required to convey the orders of the President; and for any 
such defect in my official communications, I have no apology to 
offer. 

In the same letter, wherein you complain of being censured for 
your course in relation to Colonel Harney, you say, “I am now rebuked 
for the unavoidable—nay wise, if it had not been unavoidable—re¬ 
lease, on parole, of the prisoners taken at Cerro Gordo—even be- 
2 


18 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


fore one word of commendation from government had reached this 
army, on account of its gallant conduct in the capture of those pri¬ 
soners.” Accident alone, not any oversight or neglect on my part, 
has given you the apparent advantage of the aggravation, which 
you have artfully thrown into this charge. My letter commending 
yourself and the gallant army under your command, for the glori¬ 
ous achievement at Cerro Gordo, was written and sent to you on 
the 19th of May—eleven days before that which you are pleased to 
consider as containing a rebuke. 

But I meet the main charge with a positive denial. You never 
were rebuked for discharging the prisoners taken at Cerro Gordo. 
This issue can be tried by the record. All that was ever said on 
the subject is contained in the following extract from my letter of 
the 31st of May. 

“ Your course hitherto, in relation to prisoners of war, both men 
and officers, in discharging them on parole, has been liberal and 
kind; but whether it ought to be still longer continued, or in some 
respects changed, has been under the consideration of the President, 
and he has directed me to communicate to you his views on the 
subject. He is not unaware of the great embarrassment their de¬ 
tention, or the sending of them to the United States, would occa¬ 
sion; but, so. far as relates to the officers, he thinks they should 
be detained until duly exchanged. In that case, it will probably 
be found expedient to send them, or most of them, to the United 
States. You will not, therefore, except for special reasons in par¬ 
ticular cases, discharge the officers, who may be taken prisoners, 
but detain them with you, or send them to the United States, as 
you shall deem most expedient.” 

If I understand the force of terms, there is nothing in this'lan¬ 
guage which, by fair interpretation, can be made to express or im¬ 
ply a rebuke. I cannot conceive that any mind, other than one of 
a diseased sensitiveness, over anxious to discover causes for com¬ 
plaint and accusation, could imagine that anything like a rebuke 
was contained in this extract; yet on this unsubstantial basis alone 
rests the charge, over and over again presented, that you were re¬ 
buked by the War Department, for discharging the prisoners cap¬ 
tured at Cerro Gordo. If, in a case where it was so easy to be right 
and so difficult to get wrong, you could fall into such an obvious 
mistake, what may not be expected from you in other matters, 
where your perverted feelings have a freer and a wiaer range I 

Before considering your complaints, for not having been supplied 
with sufficient means for transportation for the expedition against 
Yera Cruz, I will notice your “four memorials” to the War De¬ 
partment, in which you demonstrated, as you state, that Yera Cruz 
was the true base of operations, and that the enemy’s capital could 
not, probably, be reached from the Rio Grande.” 

I cannot discover the pertinency of your allusion to these four 
memorials, except it be to put forth a claim to the merit of origi¬ 
nating the expedition against Yera Cruz, and of being the first to 
discover that the most practicable route to the city of Mexico was 
from that point on the Gulf; but your known abhorencefor a “ pruri- 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 19 

ency of fame not earned, 1 ” ought to shield you from the suspicion of 
such an infirmity. 

I am sure you are not ignorant of the fact—but, if you are, it is, ne¬ 
vertheless, true—that the expedition against Vera Cruz had been 
for some time under consideration; that great pains had been taken 
to get information, as to the defences of that city, the strength of 
the castle, and the difficulties'which would attend the debarkation 
of troops; that maps had been procured and carefully examined; 
that persons who had resided there, and officers of the army and 
navy, had been consulted on the subject, and the enterprise actually 
resolved on before the date of your first memoir, and before you 
were thought of to conduct it. 

As early as the 9th of July, 1846, within two months after the 
declaration of war, and before the main body of troops raised for 
its prosecution had reached the scene of operations, considerate 
attention had been given to that subject. On that day a letter, from 
this department to General Taylor, thus alludes to a movement from 
Vera Cruz into the interior of the enemy’s country. 

“If from all the information you may communicate to the depart- 
ment, as well as that derived from other, sources, it should appear 
that the difficulties and obstacles to the conducting of a campaign, 
from the Rio Grande, the present base of your operations, for any 
considerable distance into the interior of Mexico, will be very 
great, the department will consider whether the main invasion 
should not ultimately take place from some point on the coast—say 
Tampico , or some other point in the vicinity of Vera Cruz. This 
suggestion is made with a view to call your attention to it, and to 
obtain from you such information as you may be able to impart. 
Should it be determined that the main army should invade Mexico 
at some other point than the Rio Grande—say the vicinity of Vera 
Cruz —a large and sufficient number of transport vessels could be 
placed at the mouth of the Rio Grande, by the time the healthy 
season sets in—say early in November. The main army, with all 
its munitions, could be transported, leaving a sufficient force behind 
to hold and occupy the Rio Grande, and all the towns and provinces 
which you may have conquered before that time. In the event of 
such being the plan of operations, your opinion is desired, what 
increased force, if any, will be required to carry it out with suc¬ 
cess. We learn that the army could be disembarked a few miles 
distant from Vera Cruz, and readily invest the town in its rear, 
without coming vuthin the range of the guns of the fortress of San 
Juan d’Ulloa. The town could be readily taken by land, while the 
fortress, being invested by land and sea, and all communication cut 
off, must soon fall. From Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico, there 
is a fine road, upon which the diligences or stage coaches run daily. 
The distance, from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico, is not more than 
one third of that from the Rio Grande to the city of Mexico.” 

The subject was again brought into view, on the 13th of October, 
in the same year, and more particularly on the 22 1 of October, in 
letters addressed to General Taylor. At the last date, the plan had 
been so far matured that several officers of the staff and line were 



20 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


indicated for that service. This was nearly a month before it was 
determined to employ you with the army in any part of Mexico. 

It was never contemplated here to strike at the city of Mexico, 
from the line occupied by General Taylor, or through any other 
except that from Yera Cruz. If the war was to be pushed to that 
extent, it required no elaborate demonstration; no profound mili¬ 
tary talent; nothing more than common sagacity and very slight 
reflection on the subject, to see the propriety and the necessity of 
making Yera Cruz the base of military operations. 

An alleged deficiency of means to transport the troops in the ex¬ 
pedition to Yera Cruz, seems to be most prominently presented and 
most confidently relied on to sustain your charge against the War 
Department, for neglecting this branch of its duties. I issued, it 
seems to be admitted, the proper order, so far as the means of 
transportation were to be drawn from the north, but the allegation 
is, that it was issued too late and was never executed. It was is¬ 
sued at least four days before you arrived at New Orleans^ on your 
way to the army. If promptly executed, it was a reasonable cal¬ 
culation that the “ten vessels,” alluded to in your letter, would 
have arrived in season to Receive the troops, as soon as you could 
collect them, from their remote and scattered positions in the inte¬ 
rior of Mexico, bring them to the sea coast, and prepare for their 
embarkation. Whether an order for ships to be sent out in ballast, 
issued the 15th of December, was or was not in season for the ser¬ 
vice they were designed for, depends upon the time when the ex¬ 
pedition could be got ready to sail. To determine this, a regard 
must be paid to what you required to be done preparatory to the 
expedition, rather than what you may have said on that subject. 

A reference to two or three of your requisitions will show that 
no rational hope could be entertained that the expedition would 
set forth before the middle or the last of February. You required, 
as one item of the outfit, one hundred and forty surf boats—all to 
be constructed after you left Washington. Though the department 
urged a less number, you insisted on all. You estimated the ex¬ 
pense of each at $200, and thought, by putting the principal ship¬ 
yards on the Atlantic coast in requisition, they might be con¬ 
structed by the first of January. To show what reliance was to be 
placed on your calculation, I refer to the fact, that though due re¬ 
gard to economy was had in procuring these boats, each cost on an 
average $950—nearly fivefold your estimate. Conceding that you 
erred much less as to the time within which they could be con¬ 
structed—nay, more, admitting they could have been ready by the 
first of January, and sooner you did not expect they could be made, 
by no reasonable calculation could they have reached the coast of 
Mexico before the first of February. The expedition could not go 
forth without them. In your letter to me, dated the 28th of Feb¬ 
ruary, off Lobos, you state that but a small part of the transports 
engaged at New Orleans, under your orders of the 28th December, 
had arrived, and “ not one of the ten ordered by your memorandum 
of the 15th of that month, and the whole were due at the Brasos on 
the 15 th of January” Having thus shown, by your own opinion, 




Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


21 


that under my order u the ten vessels” ought to have been at the 
Brasos at least fifteen days before the expedition could have been 
ready to sail , I have vindicated myself from your charge of having 
neglected my duty by not issuing that order at an earlier date. If 
issued earlier, it would have involved a largely increased expendi¬ 
ture for demurrage, and resulted in no public benefit. 

But the graver part of this charge is, that none of these u ten 
vessels” ever arrived. u Relying,” you say in the letter now un¬ 
der consideration, u upon them [the ten vessels] confidently, the 
embarkation was delayed in whole or in part at the Brasos and j 
Tampico, from the 15th of January to the 9th of March, leaving, 
it was feared, not half the time needed for the reduction of Yera 
Cruz and its castle before the return of the yellow fever.” To 
whomsoever the calamitous consequences of the non-arrival of these 
cc ten vessels” and your u cruel disappointment” iti relation to them 
are imputable, he has certainly involved himself in a serious re¬ 
sponsibility. I hope to remove the whole of it from t( the head of' 
the War Department,” and entertain some apprehensions that it 
will fall, in part, upon the commanding general of the expedition. ’ 
The execution of the most difficult branch of duties appertain¬ 
ing to a military expedition—providing for transportation—is by 
the distribution of the business in the War Department allotted to 
the quartermaster general. As an expedition against Vera Cruz; 
had been resolved on sometime before you were assigned to take 
command of it, General Jesup had gone to New Orleans to be in 
the best position to make the necessary preparations for such an 
enterprise. From his great knowledge and long experience in mili¬ 
tary affairs, not only in his appropriate department, but as a com¬ 
mander in the field, the government thought it fortunate that you 
could have the advice and assistance of so able a counsellor. 

Your suggestion that it might be necessary to send ships in bal¬ 
last from the north for transports, was not neglected or unheeded 
by me. Whether it would be necessary or not, depended, accord¬ 
ing to your statement to me, upon the means of transportation 
which could be procured at New Orleans, &c. My first step was 
to write to the quartermaster general, then at that place, for infor¬ 
mation on that subject. In my letter to him of the 11th of Decem¬ 
ber, I said: u It is expected that most of the vessels in the service 
of the quartermaster’s department can be used as transports for the 
expedition. It will be necessary that the department here should 
know what portion of the transportation can be furnished by the 
ordinary means which the quartermaster’s department has now un¬ 
der its control for the purposes of its expedition. I have to request 
that information on this point should be furnished without delay/ 
u Another point upon which the department desires information, 
is, what amount of means of transportation, for such an expedition, 
can be furnished at New Orleans, Mobile, and in that quarter. 

u The expense of procuring transports from the Atlantic cities 
will be exorbitant. Freights is very high, and most of the good 
vessels are engaged for the ordinary purposes of commerce.” 

It is important to bear in mind that you saw this letter on your 





22 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


first arrival at New Orleans. In writing to me from that place, 
December 21st, you observe, u I have seen your letter (in the hands 
of Lieutenant Colonel Hunt) to the quartermaster general, dated 
the 11th. 77 You could not mistake its object, because it was clearly 
expressed. I asked distinctly what means of transportation for 
the expedition can be furnished at New Orleans, &c., and referred 
to the expense and difficulty of procuring transports from the At¬ 
lantic cities. You could not, therefore, but know that my course, 
as to sending ships in ballast from the north, would be regulated 
by the quartermaster gelieraPs reply. While waiting for this in¬ 
formation, and in order to prevent delay, and be sure not to de¬ 
serve the imputation you now cast upon me, I issued the order of 
the 15th of December, to which you refer, knowing that it could 
be modified and conformed to the exigencies of the service accord¬ 
ing to the answer which I should receive from General Jesup. His 
reply is dated the 27th of December, and in it he says: 

u Transportation can be provided here for all the troops that may 
be drawn from the army under the command of General Taylor , and 
for all the ordnance, ordna ce stores, and other supplies, which may 
be drawn either from this depot, [the Brasos,] or from New Orleans. 
The public transports, I mean those owned by the United States, that 
can be spared for the contemplated operations, it is estimated, will 
carry three thousand men, with all their supplies. Vessels can be 
chartered here on favorable terms for any additional transportation 
that may be required ” This letter was submitted to, and read by, 
you, as appears from your .endorsement thereon. After referring 
to some other matters in the letter, you conclude your endorse¬ 
ment as follows: “I recommend that Brevet Major General Jesup’s 
suggestions be adopted. 57 This fact shows that the letter received 
your particular attention. 

When this letter, which you knew was forwarded to the de¬ 
partment, was here received, showing that your apprehended 
difficulty in obtaining sufficient transportation at the south was 
unfounded, and that it could be provided in that quarter in great 
abundance on favorable terms, my order of the 15th of Decem¬ 
ber, so far, and only so far, as it related to sending out vessels 
in ballast, was countermanded. It is strange indeed that, after you 
were made acquainted with the object of my inquiries and General 
Jesup’s letter in reply to them, you should have looked for trans¬ 
port vessels in ballast from the Atlantic cities; and, still more 
strange, that their non-arrival should be the proof you rely on to 
convict me of having neglected my duty in this instance. If, in 
truth, you delayed the expedition nearly two months for these 
transports, I am blameless; the responsibility is in another quarter. 
It cannot be said that this statement, as to the sufficiency of trans¬ 
ports to be obtained at the south, had an implied reference to what 
I had ordered from the Atlantic cities; for my order was then un¬ 
known to yourself and the quartermaster general. You first re¬ 
ceived a copy of it several days after the date of General Jesup’s 
letter to me, and of your endorsement thereon. [See your letter 
to me of the 12th of January.] Resisted, as you were, by “head 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


23 


winds, 55 enveloped in u frightful northers, 55 and oppressed with 
complicated and perplexing duties in arranging and preparing the 
expedition against Vera Cruz, some temporary bewilderment may 
be excused* but to charge the War Department with your own 
misa prehensions and mistakes is inexcusable. 

My reply to your accusations forces me to expose some of your 
misstatements of fact. You allege that the expedition*, for the want 
of the u ten vessels, 55 was delayed from the 15 th of January to the 
9th of March. You certainly mean to be understood that, on the 
15th of January, your troops were ready to embark, and were de¬ 
layed for want of these transports; but this was not so, and I am 
indebted to you for most abundant proof to establish your inaccu¬ 
racy. The great body of your troops, for the expedition, was 
drawn from General Taylor’s command at Monterey and in the in¬ 
terior of Mexico, and no part of them had reached either the Brazos 
or Tampico, the points of embarkation, on the 15th of January. 
In your letter, of the 12th of that month, to General Brooke, at 
New Orleans, you said: <C I have now to state that it is probable 
the troops I have called for from General Taylor’s immediate com¬ 
mand, to embark here [the Brazos] and at Tampico, will not reach 
those points till late in the present month, [January,] say about 
the 25th. 55 In a letter to me, of the 26th of January, you remark 
that General Butler responded to your call for the troops with the 
utmost promptitude, and thut General Worth made an admirable 
movement : u the head of his division arrived with him at the mouth 
of the Rio Grande the day before yesterday/ 5 [24th January.] 
When the remainder came up, is not stated; yet one of your u naked 
historical facts 55 places the whole command at the points of embar¬ 
kation,’ waiting for the u ten vessels 55 at least nine days before the 
actual arrival of any part of them. But, if they had been there, 
why should they have been detained for these vessels'? In the 
same letter, written but two days after the arrival of the head of 
the first division, and probably before the other troops had come 
up, you say: u that the quartermaster general, Brevet Major Gen¬ 
eral Jesup, at New Orleans, I find, has taken all proper measures, 
with judgment and promptitude, to provide everything depending 
on his department for the despatch and success of my expedition. 55 
If more was wanted, cumulative proof might be drawn from the 
same source—your own correspondence—to show, not only that 
this charge against me has no foundation in truth, but that you can 
have no apology for having preferred it. 

After showing how unfortunate you have been in your specific 
charges, I may, with propriety, meet those of a general and sweep¬ 
ing character with a less particular detail of proofs to show their 
groundlessness. 

Though the u ten vessels 55 were not, for the very sufficient rea¬ 
sons I have assigned, sent out in ballast from the Atlantic cities, 
yet a very large number were sent thence with stores, supplies, and 
troops to co-operate in the expedition. In General Jesup’s letter 
to me, of the 17th instant, a copy of which is sent herewith, he 
states that fifty-three ships, barques, brigs, and schooners, were 


24 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


sent from the north, and the department actually furnished, at New 
Orleans, Brazos, and Tampico, for the army, before it took up the 
line of march into the interior, one hundred and sixty-three 
vessels. 

I have alluded to the large number of surf-boats, and the great 
difficulty of procuring them, as the cause of the delay in their ar¬ 
rival. I have, also, a similar reason to offer in reply to your com¬ 
plaint for not having seasonably received the siege-train and ord¬ 
nance supplies. The delay is to be ascribed to the enormously 
large outfit you required. If it was necessary, and despatch -yvas 
used in procuring it, no one is in fault* if too large, you certainly 
should not regard, as a reprehensible delay, the time necessarily 
taken up in preparing it. To show that it was large, and required 
much time to procure it, I will select from many, a single item. 
You demanded from eighty to one hundred thousand ten-inch shells, 
and forty or fifty mortars of like calibre. This enormous quantity 
of shells—about four thousand tons—was mostly to be manufactured 
after you left Washington. All the furnaces in the country, wil¬ 
ling to engage in the business, were set to work; but, with the ut¬ 
most diligence and despatch, the supply of this one article, or even 
two-thirds of it, having to be manufactured and transported to the 
seaboard from the furnaces, (located, in most instances, in the in¬ 
terior of the country,) at a season of the year when water commu¬ 
nications were obstructed by ice, could not be ready to be sent for¬ 
ward to you in many months after your departure from Washington. 
Had your requisitions been moderate, and, undoubtedly, more mod¬ 
erate ones would have sufficed, they could have been furnished at 
a much earlier period. 

The memorandum which you left u for the siege train and am¬ 
munition therefor,” was submitted to me by the ordnance depart¬ 
ment on the 26th of November, with an intimation that it could 
not be complied with in season for the expedition to go forward as 
early as you had contemplated. I endorsed upon it, cc comply with 
the above as far as practicable ;” and this order, I am satisfied, 
after full examination, was faithfully executed. 

What could be done at Washington, was done promptly. You. 
had with you the Quartermaster General, with all the means at the 
command of the War Department, and with unrestricted authority 
to do whatever you^ might require. He was under your supervis¬ 
ion, and subject to your orders, able and willing to execute them; 
and you have never intimated that he, in any respect, failed in his 
duty, but, on the contrary, you have spoken in highly commen¬ 
datory terms of his efficient services. I have already quoted your 
acknowledgment that he had u taken all proper measures, with 
judgment and promptitude, to provide everything depending on 
his department for the despatch and success of your expedition.” 
In an issue of fact between you and the head of the War Depart¬ 
ment, his testimony, next to your own confessions, is the best that 
can be offered to correct your misstatements, and to refute your 
charges. In his letter to me of tl^e 2d of January, 1847, he says : 

General Scott left for the interior on the 29th ultimo, and I am 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


25 


taking active measures to have everything depending upon me 
ready for his operations. The quartermaster’s department, I find, 
is called upon to do a great deal that should be done by other 
branches of the staff. So far as General Scott’s operations go, I 
shall have everything done that is necessary, whether it belongs 
to my department or to other departments to do it.” You had with 
you, and subject to your orders, not only the Quartermaster Gen¬ 
eral, but officers of the other staff departments. They did not look 
to the War Department, but to yourself, for directions; and it was 
your duty, and not mine, to see that your requirements were com¬ 
plied with. * That they were so, to the utmost practicable extent, 
I have no reason to doubt ; but, if they were not, the fault, if 
any, is not with the War Department. You also gave the instruc¬ 
tions in relation to providing the means of land transportation, and 
the officers charged with that duty were under your immediate 
control; and, if there is blame anywhere for any deficiency in this 
respect, it cannot be imputed to the War Department. Your whole 
correspondence with me, and the staff officers with you, shows that 
you very properly took upon yourself the whole charge of giving 
directions in this matter. In a letter to Captain Hetzel, senior 
quartermaster at the Brazos, speaking on the subject of the land 
transportation which may be needed after the descent on the 
enemy’s coast, near Yera Cruz, you say: u I have already discussed 
and arranged with you the detail of the early land transportation 
train,” &c. On the 19th of March you furnishwd General Jesup 
with your estimates and directions on this subject. The staff offi¬ 
cers being with you, and under your orders, nothing, further was, 
or properly could be, required or expected to emanate from Wash¬ 
ington beyond the supply of funds; and, this being done, if you 
were disappointed in not realizing your expectations, you have not 
a colorable pretence for imputing blame to u the head of the War 
Department.” 

As a ground of complaint, and a matter of accusation, you 
refer to your deficiency of means to make the descent, and to 
capture the city of Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan d’Ulloa, 
and assume that the extent of that deficiency was the difference 
between what you received and what you required. It would be 
quite as correct reasoning to say that what you had having proved 
sufficient for the purpose, the difference showed the extent of the 
errors in your estimates. The truth lies, perhaps, between the two 
extremes. You had less, probably, than you should have had, and 
you required much more than was necessary. That you did not 
have more, and, indeed, all you asked for, I have already shown, 
was not the fault of the War Department. 

General Jesup was with you at Yera Cruz, saw your means, and 
is capable of forming an estimate of their sufficiency. He is, as 
his letter herewith shows, disposed to be just, and even generous 
to your fame. To his opinion on the subject, no well founded ex¬ 
ception can be taken. He says, in reference to your complaints on 
account of a deficient supply % of surf boats, siege train, and ord¬ 
nance stores, “the result shows that he [General Scott] had surf 


26 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


boats and stores enough;” and of the delay of which you com¬ 
plain, he fully exonerates the War Department, and ascribes the 
whole to yourself and to unavoidable accidents. 

The imputation that you were designedly crippled in your means, 
is a charge as preposterous as'it is unfounded. 

I am aware that the execution of some of the many arrange¬ 
ments for the Yera Cruz expedition was obstructed and delayed 
by accidents; but they were such as human sagacity could not 
forsee, or human agency control. They were not, however, more 
than a considerate mind, bringing into view all the vast difficulties 
of the case, would have expected. When your complaints on this 
subject were first received here, evincing, as they did, that you 
intended to hold the department responsible for every untoward 
event, the heads of the several bureaus were called on by me to 
show how they had executed the duties which had been confided 
to them, particularly in regard to matters referred to by you. The 
evidence they presented of having done all that was required, or 
could have been expected, convinced me, and I venture to say 
that, on a full examination, it will satisfy any mind open to con¬ 
viction, that all your complaints, so far as they imputed blame to 
the War Department, or any of its branches, are unfounded. It 
will do much more—it will show that great industry, promptness, 
uncommon capacity, and extraordinary exertions, in relation to 
every thing connected with the war, have characterized the action 
of each of the^ subordinate departments. As a commendation 
justly merited by these several branches of the department, as¬ 
sailed, as they are, indirectly by you, I see no good reason for 
withholding my opinion, that an instance cannot be found where 
so much has been done, and well done, in so short a time, by any 
similar body of officers, under similar circumstances. 

As you have, by implication, laid a heavy hand upon the bureau 
which is charged with the onerous duties of executing the laws 
and orders for raising and sending forward the recruits and levies, 
I feel bound to affirm that you have done to that branch of the pub¬ 
lic service the greatest injustice. No industry has been spared, no 
possible effort omitted to raise the forces which were authorized, 
and to send them to their destination within the briefest practicable 
period. The numerous orders, issued from the adjutant’s general’s 
office, and its voluminous correspondence on that subject, will sus¬ 
tain this assertion. 

You have pressed with unwonted zeal the charge in relation to di¬ 
verting the detachments of the new regiments under Gen. Cadwala- 
der’s command to the Brassos, and have indulged in the wildest spe¬ 
culations as to the sad consequences which attended this imputed 
error. Assuming that my orders diverted these troops, or any others, 
(an assertion which I shall controvert hereafter,) the circumstances 
justified the measure.* The critical condition of General Taylor, 
according to all accounts received here at that time, is stated in my 
letter to you of the 22d of March. To show that the department 
acted properly, though it incurred your reproof, it is necessary to 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


27 


recall the facts as they then appeared here. They are presented in 
the following extract from that letter: 

“The information which has just reached us, in the shape of ru¬ 
mors, as to the situation of General Taylor and the forces under 
his command, has excited the most painful apprehensions for their 
safety. It is almost certain that Santa Anna has precipitated the 
large army he had collected at San Luis de Potosi upon General 
Taylor, and it may be that the general has not been able to main¬ 
tain the advanced position he had seen fit to take at Agua Nueva, 
but has been obliged to fall back on Monterey. It is equally cer¬ 
tain that a Mexican force has been interposed between Monterey 
and the Rio. Grande, and that it has interrupted the line of com¬ 
munication between the two places, and seized large supplies which 
were on the way to General Taylor’s army. 

“If the hostile force between the Rio Grande and General Tay¬ 
lor’s army is as large as reports represent it, our troops now on that 
river may not be able to re-establish the line, nor will it, perhaps, 
be possible to place a force there sufficient for the purpose, in time 
to prevent disastrous consequences to our army, unless aid can be 
afforded from the troops under your immediate command. 

“ From one to two thousand of the new recruits for the ten regi¬ 
ments, from this quarter, will be on the way to the Brassos, in the 
course of three or four days. All the other forces will be directed 
to that point, and every effort made to relieve General Taylor from 
his critical situation. You will have been fully apprised, before 
this can reach you, of the condition of things in the valley of the 
Rio Grande and at the head-quarters of General Taylor, and have 
taken, I trust, such measures as the importance of the subject re¬ 
quires. I need not urge upon you the fatal consequences which 
would result from any serious disaster which might befal the army 
under General Taylor, nor do I doubt that you will do what is in 
your power to avert such a calamity.” 

The course pursued by the War Department on that occasion, 
which you convert into a charge, must, on revision, I think, com¬ 
mend itself to general approbation. Had it been indifferent to the 
alarming condition of General Taylor’s army, and forborne to use, 
at the earliest moment, the most energetic measures to guard against 
the fatal consequences of its defeat, then too probable, it would 
have deserved an arraignment as severe as that which you have 
made against it, for having done its duty in that critical emergency. 
When you first received the reasons assigned for the course adopted 
here, they appear to have been satisfactory. In your despatch of 
the 28th of April you say: “Yesterday I learned by your letter of 
the 22d, and the adjutant general’s of the 26th ultimo, that all 
the recruits of the regiments, some 3,000, raised, or likely to be 
raised, in time for this army, have been ordered to the Rio Grande.” 
You did not then intimate the slightest dissatisfaction, not even a 
premonitory symptom of that deep distress with which, instantly 
on Mr. Trist’s arrival in Mexico, you represent yourself to have 
been seized. It is a coincidence, not unworthy of notice, that the 
letter containing your first condemnatory remark on this subject, 


28 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


was written on the day of the date of Mr. Trist’s first note to you, 
and only the day before your captious reply to it, and in both you 
assail the War Department. Your withering disappointment seems 
to have slumbered for ten days, and then to have been aroused by 
the appearance of Mr. Trist in Mexico, and your quarrel with him. 
If the order from the War Department had in fact “ diverted” the 
forces with General Cadwalader, still it was fully justified by the 
threatening aspect of affairs on the Rio Grande; but I am quite 
sure that it did not divert them. No previous order from the de¬ 
partment had designated any other place of rendezvous than the 
Brassos, for the troops that were to join your column. It was well 
understood, before you left Washington, that all the troops for both 
armies were to be sent to that place, and there to fall under your 
command. This arrangement was not, nor was it expected that it 
would be, here changed, until you^had penetrated so far into the 
enemy’s country as to render your communication with that place 
of general rendezvous difficult and dilatory. 

You also complain that the order was not countermanded. If 
there had been such an order, and it had been countermanded, what 
would have been the consequence'? The troops would have gone 
forward from the United States, under the former orders of the de¬ 
partment, which would have taken them to the same place. 

You allege that “the news of the victory of Buena Yista reached 
Washington in time to countermand Cadwalader’s orders for the 
Rio Grande, before his departure from New Orleans.” I notice this 
specification of neglect of duty, to show the extent to which you 
have carried your fault finding, and the industry with which you 
have searched for occasions to indulge it. 

Your assumption is that the news of the victory of Buena Vista 
should have satisfied the War Department that Cadwalader’s forces 
were not needed on the Rio Grande, and the omission to counter¬ 
mand, as soon as that news was received, the orders to send them 
there was a neglect deserving severe animadversion. How did you 
act under similar circumstances? With better means of information, 
as to the actual condition of the Rio Grande frontier after the victory 
of Buena Yista, you did not deem it prudent, after being forty-one 
days in possession of the news of that victory, to issue positive 
orders to remove a single man from that frontier; yet, you venture 
to censure me for not having sent the troops away the moment the 
news reached Washington. 

You received information of that victory on or before the 14th 
of March, for on that day you proclaimed it in orders to your 
army. On the 25th of April', more than forty days thereafter, you 
issued an order to the commanding officer at the Brassos, to em¬ 
bark for Yera Cruz “such detachments of the new regiments as 
may have been ordered by the War Department to Point Isabel;” 
but you made it conditional, with reference to the safety of the 
line of the Rio Grande, and said to that officer that you relied upon 
his “ sound judgment to determine on the spot, whether that line 
would not be too much exposed by the withdrawal of the troops in 
question.” Thus it appears that you do not hesitate to impute 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


29 


neglect of duty to me, for not having adopted and acted on the 
conclusion that the line of the Rio Grande was safe the moment 
I heard of the victory of Buena Vista; but, when acting on the 
same subject, you dared not adopt that conclusion, although you 
had been in possession of the same information forty-one days. 
Your own conduct in this matter completely refutes this charge 
of yours against the War Department; it does more, it shows how 
rash and inconsiderate you have been in selecting topics for at¬ 
tack. 

But the most serious consequences are attributed to the long de¬ 
lay of these troops at the Brassos. For your sake, I sincerely 
hope these consequences are much exaggerated, because I am quite 
confident it will be shown that you alone are responsible for the 
delay. The War Department did not—and it was proper that it 
should not—issue any order in regard to the movement of the 
troops after their arrival in Mexico. The order from the depart¬ 
ment, of the 30th of April, making a division of the new levies 
between the two columns, does not contradict this assertion, for 
these levies were then mostly within the United States; only por¬ 
tions of them had then reached Mexico. Until this order took effect, 
the troops at the Brassos, and, indeed, on the Rio Grande and with 
General Taylor, were under your entire and unrestricted command. 
As to this matter you were under no misapprehension, for, on the 
25th of April, and before you were informed what had been done 
here to secure the Rio Grande line, you issued an order in relation 
to the troops at the Brassos. This place, you well knew, was the 
general rendezvous of the new levies from the United States; and 
before you sailed on your expedition to Vera Cruz, you were noti¬ 
fied that the Mexican army were advancing upon General Taylor. 
To have assumed that you had not left at the Brassos, with a view 
to meet any probably contingency, orders for the proper disposi¬ 
tion of the troops which were or might be sent there, would have 
implied an opinion that you wanted suitable qualifications for the 
high station which had been assigned to you. These troops were 
a part of your command, and subject to your orders; and if they 
remained one day at the Brassos after it was there known that they 
were not needed on the Rio Grande line, and would be serviceable 
with your column, the fault was entirely your own, and in no wise 
imputable to the War Department. If your opinion be not ex¬ 
travagant, and you say it is not, that but for the diversion of Gen¬ 
eral Cadwalader’s forces from you, and the u much precious time” 
lost at the Brassos, you “ might easily have taken this city (Mexico) 
in the month of June, and at one-fifth of the loss sustained in 
August and September,” you have, indeed, a most fearful account 
to settle with your country. 

I cannot, however, but regard your speculative opinions on this 
subject as fanciful and wild. You greatly over estimate the forces 
which landed at the Brassos, and subsequently joined you. From 
the best calculations which can be made from data in the adjutant 
general’s office, the number was much less than you imagine, and 
did not probably exceed one thousand. As the refutation of your 



30 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


charge against the department for diverting these troops is in no 
wise impaired by their number, be it more or less, it is not impor¬ 
tant to, inquire into that matter; but there is a question of serious 
import, which I think the country will expect you to answer. If 
these new levies, which had just entered the service, would have en¬ 
abled you to capture the city of Mexico in June, with a com¬ 
paratively small loss, 4 why did you at the very time you discovered 
that they were so much needed, and would have been so useful, 
send away from your army three times as many volunteers, who 
had been many months in service, and were, as you acknowledge, 
“respectable in discipline and efficiency,” and who had distin¬ 
guished themselves at Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo, and in the hour 
of peril had fought by the side of your veteran troops, and mer¬ 
ited an honorable share in the glory of those- memorable conflicts? 

The period of their engagement had not expired. When thus sent 
away but one of the seven regiments had less than thirty, and most 
of them had more than forty-five days to serve. According to your 
own opinion, concurred in by the department, they could have been 
legally retained on your line of operations till the last hour of 
their engagement. If not deemed expedient to take them on to¬ 
wards Mexico with you, their services at that critical period would 
have been of inestimable value in holding the post at Jalapa, so 
important and so unexpectedly abandoned, and in keeping open the 
communication between Vera Cruz and your head-quarters, whereby 
supplies, munitions, and recruits could, be safely and expeditiously 
forwarded to you. Had this been done you would have been spared 
the trouble of inditing many items of grievance and complaint 
against the War Department, for having failed to furnish them. 
If you had retained the twelve months’ volunteers until the end of 
their agreement—and no sufficient reason has yet been shown for 
their premature discharge—you might, for a season at least, have 
received without much obstruction, supplies from the main depot on 
the gulf ; the army might have been sterngthened by reinforcements 
at an earlier period, and many of the revolting scenes of barbarity 
on the road from Vera Cruz to Jalapa, in which so many lives of 
our fellow citizens have been sacrificed by the ruthless guerilleros, 
would not have occurred. 

Another and still more lamentable calamity is, I think, fairly to 
be ascribed to the early obstruction of this important line of com¬ 
munication. The brave and patriotic men who were hurried on to 
Mexico in small detachments, in order to reinforce your army, 
were unexpectedly but necessarily detained at Vera Cruz until the 
numbers there collected were sufficient to force their way through 
the strong guerrilla bands which held the difficult passes on the 
Jalapa road. While thus detained on that inhospitable coast in 
the sickly season, they were exposed to the attacks of a wasting 
pestilence, more formidable and, as it unfortunately proved, more 
destructive than the Mexican army. 

When the unwelcome news of the premature discharge of this 
large body of volunteers was received here, unaccompanied by any 
explanation to show the necessity of the act, it excited very gene- 



Ex, Doc. No. 59. 


31 


ral surprise and regret; its consequences were at once foreseen, 
but the step had been taken and could not be retraced. It was 
loudly condemned. Many did not believe that a measure which ap¬ 
peared to be so unwise and so injurious to the operations of the army 
could have emanated from yourself, but they were less charitable 
towards the President and Secretary of War* Both were de¬ 
nounced for what you had done; they were unscrupulously 
charged with weakness and incapacity; with being actuated by 
hostility to you, and a desire to secure popularity with the volun¬ 
teers, nor were these bitter assaults intermitted until it began to be 
suspected that they were misdirected. 

If you really regarded, on the 6th of May, the augmentation of 
ybur forces as being of such vital importance, it is almost as diffi¬ 
cult to account for the course taken to re-engage the volunteers, as 
for their premature discharge. I am misled by information on 
which I ought to rely, if many of these volunteers would not have 
continued in service if proper measures had been taken at Jnlapa, 
while they were indulging the hope of participating in further tri¬ 
umphs, and of being among those who would enjoy the enviable 
distinction of first entering, as victors, the proud capital of the 
Mexican republic. Though the subject was there presented to their 
consideration, no vigorous efforts seem to have been made, no at¬ 
tempt to form new companies, or to muster them into service, until 
this powerful inducement was weakened or withdrawn; until they 
had been detached from a victorious army, as if no longer deemed 
worthy to be a part of it; sent sixty miles towards their homes, into 
a pestilential region, and there brought within the sympathetic 
influence of the sentiments which, it was natural that many should 
feel and manifest, at the moment of embarking, to return fo their 
families and friends. Considering the manner in which the Presi¬ 
dent’s order on this subject was attempted to be executed, it is not 
strange that among more than three thousand patriotic volunteers 
sent away by your order of the 4th of May, only about “ fifty in¬ 
dividuals” were found willing to re-engage. 

You seem to have suddenly conceived the notion of converting 
the army, “ like Cortez,” “ into a self-sustaining machine^ and to 
make the resemblance between yourself and the Spanish hero more 
complete, you indulged a dream of fancy, until you seem to have 
adopted it as a matter of belief, that you were “ doomed at Wash¬ 
ington,” and you became “ like him always afraid that the next 
ship or messenger might recall or further cripple” you. 

It should not be forgotten that the design of this unaccountable 
military movement was first communicated to Mr. Trist, before you 
had given any intimation of it to your government, and while un¬ 
der the perturbation of mind which his unwelcome presence in 
Mexico had produced. Had you confided this extraordinary plan 
of a campaign to him, after the “happy cl ange” in your relations; 
after you had digested his “farrago of insolence, conceit, and arro¬ 
gance;” and, after he too, mistaking notoriety for fame, had sought 
to win it by disobeying the orders of his government, defying its 
uthority, and assailing its conduct, this distinguishing mark of your 



32 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


confidence in him would have caused much less surprise. This 
novel conception, so suddenly adopted, was as suddenly carried out— 
your army was indeed converted “ into a self-sustaining machine”— 
you discharged the twelve months’ volunteers, and broke up your 
post at Jalapa, and on the way to your main depot; “ resolved,” as 
you announced, “ no longer to depend on Vera Cruz or home;” you 
put yourself beyond the reach of the supplies which had been 
provided by the government, and rendered yourself, in a great mea¬ 
sure, inaccessible to the recruits and levies (except in strong par¬ 
ties) which had been raised to augment your command. % In this 
way you rendered unavailing, for a time at least, all that had been 
or could be done by the assiduous and incessant labors of the War 
Department in all its branches, and then you recklessly put forth* 
the groundless complaint of “a total want of support and sym¬ 
pathy” from it. 

Your letter of the 25th of July, which was not received at Wash¬ 
ington until the 30th of December last, abounds with complaints 
against the department, and refers in strong terms to the wants 
and sufferings of the army at that time. Before you venture to make 
its then destitute condition a ground of charge against the War 
Department, you ought to have recollected that these afflictions fell 
upon it in the midst of your experiment of making it u a self-sus¬ 
taining machine,” and were the legitimate fruits of that experi¬ 
ment. These sufferings came upon it before your estimated period 
of isolation from “Vera Cruz and home” had half expired. When 
you had designedly and unnecessarily abandoned both, and entered 
upon your self-sustaining position, “cut off from all supplies and 
reinforcements from home, until perhaps late in November,” by 
what pretence of justice do you complain of the War Department 
for the distresses you thus voluntarily inflicted upon yourself and 
the gallant army under your command] Something very different 
from censure and reproof is due for the extraordinary efforts which 
were successfully made to reach you with recruits and supplies in 
your sequestered situation, and to rescue you from the embarrass¬ 
ments in which your ill-judged measure had involved you. I have 
brought into view this unaccountable movement of yours, with no 
purpose to make any comment upon it as a military measure, but 
solely to show that the evils resulting from it are not just grounds 
of accusation against the War Department, and that the labored 
attempt to pervert them to such a purpose, discloses the manner and 
spirit with which you have executed the assumed task of its accuser. 

As you have indulged in the widest range of speculation in re¬ 
gard to the alleged sinister motives and covert designs of others, I 
feel less reluctant to present my views as to the main object of 
your last communication. Throughout the whole of it, and parti¬ 
cularly in the concluding part, you manifest the utmost solicitude 
to place yourself in the position of an injured and persecuted man. 
With all the aid you can derive from dextrous strategy, you will 
be likely to fail in your attempt, unless you can have the full ben¬ 
efit of your high coloring of some facts, and your forgetfulness of 
others, together with all your fanciful conjectures and surmises. 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


33 


Your recal is, you assert, the long suspended “blow of power” 
which you had the sagacity clearly to predict. It is somewhat re¬ 
markable that your predictions preceded the events which you ima¬ 
gine provoked that blow. As early as the 25th of July—soon after 
“the happy change in my [your] relations,both official and private, 
wit^ Mr. Trist”—you looked, you say, “to be dismissed from the 
service of my [your] country.” If your recall can be regarded as a 
dismissal, you are entitled to all the credit of the fulfilment of your 
own early prediction. 

In presenting in its true light the President’s compliance with 
your own request to be recalled, which you now denominate your 
dismissal, I may be obliged to strip it of the embellishments you 
have ingeniously thrown around it, though, in doing this, you may 
be deprived of much upon which you depend to sustain your claim 
to be considered a persecuted man. 

As early as June you begged to be recalled. You allege that this 
application was “rebukingly declined.” This is not saying the 
exact thing. The reply to your request was, “that it would be de¬ 
cided with exclusive reference to the public good. When that 
shall render it proper in his (the President’s) opinion to withdraw 
you from your present command, his determination to do so will 
be made known to you.” This was not a denial, but a suspension 
of present action, accompanied with an assurance of future action 
on the subject. Your request was still pending; a regard to the 
public good then stood in the way of the immediate gratification of 
your wishes, but the President promised to act definitively on the 
question when that obstacle should be removed. Judging from the 
state of things at the head-quarters of the army, in January, he 
concluded that it was removed, and that he ought no longer to re¬ 
quire of you reluctant service as commanding general. This, cer¬ 
tainly, cannot be called persecution, or punishment. I do not deem 
it proper to comment on the state of things at the head-quarters of 
the army, to which allusion is made in the letter granting your re¬ 
quest, nor to express an opinion as to the share of responsibility 
therefor which rests upon yourself or others; that matter is to a 
considerable extent involved in the investigations before the court 
of inquiry now sitting in Mexico. Your request to be recalled, 
thus ultimately granted, was prefaced with imaginary complaints, 
which could not be passed without notice, nor noticed, without 
exposing their groundlessness. If the exposition has given offence, 
you can blame only yourself for introducing complaints so entirely 
unfounded. 

The crowning outrage, as you regard it, is the simple fact that 
you and “the three arrested officers” are all to be placed together 
before the same court; the innocent and the guilty, the accuser and 
the accused, the judge and his prisoners, are dealt with alike.” 
“Most impartial justice!” you exclaim. And why is it not impar¬ 
tial justice? On what ground of right can you claim to have your 
case discriminated from theirs? It is true you have assumed to be 
their judge, and have pronounced them guilty; and complain and 
repine that the laws of the country do not allow you, their accuser, 



34 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


to institute a court to register your decree. But you are not their 
rightful judge, although they were your prisoners. Before that court 
you all stand on the same level, and all have equal rights. Though 
you may have the self-satisfying conviction that you are innocent 
and they are guilty, the government could act upon no such pre¬ 
sumption. By becoming an accuser you did not place yourself be¬ 
yond the reach of being accused; and unless you are clothed with 
the immunity of despotic power, and can claim the benefit of the 
maxim “that the king can do no wrong,” I know not why your 
conduct, when made the subject of charges, may not be investigat¬ 
ed by a court of inquiry, nor can I perceive what other, or better, 
right you have to complain, and arraign the government, than the 
other officers whom you have accused, and whose cases, with your’s, 
were referred to the same court. If your’s is a hard case, their’s is 
not less so: if you can rightfully complain of persecution by the 
government, so can they, with equal justice, and an equal claim to 
public sympathy. 

The charges against you did not emanate from the government, 
nor did they relate to a matter in which it could feel any peculiar 
interest. Not believing it impossible for you to do wrong, or that 
you were exempt from all responsibility, for whatever you might 
have done, the government deemed it proper, when charges were 
preferred against you, coming from a source entitled to respect, to 
cause them to be investigated. As the usual and mildest mode of 
proceeding, they were referred to a court of inquiry. Until you 
can show that you enjoy the transcendental privilege to have your 
official conduct exempt from all examination, in any form whatever, 
you have no cause to complain of the course taken in regard to the 
charges against you. 

If your extraordinary pretensions are to derive any support from 
your distinguished services in the field, you ought to be mindful 
that the three accused officers, put under arrest by you, have like 
claims for distinguished services. On the pages of impartial history 
their names, and their gallant deeds, must appear with your’s, and 
no monopolising claims, seeking “malignant exclusions,” at the ex¬ 
pense of the “truth of history,” will be permitted to rob them of 
their fair share of the glory won by our gallant army while under 
your command. 

With your assault upon the character of your “erratic brother” 
I shall not intermeddle, but I must repel your charge that he has 
been favored for being apolitical “deserter” to u the true faith^ {or 
signalizing his “apostacy, by acceptable denunciations of one” to 
whom he had formerly “professed (and not without cause) the high¬ 
est obligations.” The reasons for not sending your charges against 
Brevet Major General Worth to the court of inquiry are set forth 
in my letter of the 13th of January. I regret that they are so en¬ 
tirely unsatisfactory to you, but am consoled with the assurance 
that they are in other quarters more favorably received. The errors 
of your commentary on my letter have arisen from your misappre¬ 
hension of the text. The principle there laid down is of vital im- 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


35 


portance to subordinate officers, and in no respect impairs the rights 
or the authority of those in chief command. As the principles 
which you arraign are the creations of your own fancy, and have 
no countenance or support from my letter, I am no way impli¬ 
cated by the “fatal consequences” you deduce from them. Whe¬ 
ther legitimate or fanciful, they do not disturb the positions laid 
down in my letter. 

I cannot, however, but regard your solicitude for the support of 
discipline to be more ostentatious than profound. When a general 
at the head of an army of freemen, who do not lose their rights as 
citizens by becoming soldiers, sets up pretensions to dictatorial 
power—when he contemns the authority of his government, and is 
much more ready to censure than to execute its orders and instruc¬ 
tions—when he denounces as an outrage and a punishment the at¬ 
tempt to submit his acts, charged to be an offence against a subor¬ 
dinate officer, to an investigation in the mildest form—when he ad¬ 
ministers an indignant reproof to his superior for upholding the 
sacred right to appeal, upon which depend the security and protec¬ 
tion of all under his command—such a general sets an example of 
insubordinate conduct of wide and withering influence upon sound 
military discipline. 

By extending my comments upon your letter, I might multiply 
proofs to show that your accusations against the head of the War 
Department are unjust; that your complaints are unfounded; that 
the designs imputed by you to the government, to embarrass your 
operations, impair your rightful authority as commander, and to 
offer outrage and insult to your feelings, are all the mere creations 
of a distempered fancy; but to do more than I have done would, 
in my judgment, be a work of supererogation. 

In conclusion, I may be permitted to say that, as one of the 
President’s advisers, I had a full share in the responsibility of the 
act which assigned you to the command of our armies in Mexico. 
I felt interested even more than naturally appertained to my official 
position that success and glory should signalize your operations. 
It was my duty to bring to your aid the efficient co-operation of 
the War Department. I never had a feeling that did not harmonize 
with the full and fair discharge of this duty. I know it has been 
faithfully performed. There are some men for whom enough can¬ 
not be done to make them grateful, or even just, unless acts of 
subserviency and personal devotedness are superadded. From you 
I expected bare justice, but have been disappointed. I have found 
you ray accuser. In my vindication I have endeavored to maintain 
a defensive line, and if I have gone beyond it at any time, it has 
been done to repel unproked aggression. To your fame I have 
endeavored to be just. I have been gratified with the many occa¬ 
sions I have had to bear public testimony to your abilities and 
signal services as a military commander in the field. It has been, 
and, under any change in our personal relations, it will continue to 
be my purpose to be liberal in my appreciation of your distin¬ 
guished military merits. In respect to your errors and your faults, 



36 Ex. Doc. No. 59. 

though I could not be blind, I regret that you have not permitted 
me to be silent. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant^ 

W. L. MARCY, 
Secretary of War. 

To Major General Winfield Scott, 

U. S. Army , Mexico. 

P. S. Papers herewith sent: 

1. Duplicate of General Jesup’s letter to me of the 18th February, 

1848. 

2. General Jesup’s letter of the 17th instant. 

3. do do 18th do. 


Quartermaster General’s Office, 

Washington city , February 18, 1848. 

Sir: In reply to the complaint of General Scott, in his despatch 
of the 25th of December, that Lieutenant Colonel Johnson’s train 
had returned without one blanket , coat , jacket , or pair of panta¬ 
loons. ) the small depot at Yera Cruz having been exhausted by the 
troops under Generals Patterson, Butler, and Marshall, respec¬ 
tively, all fresh from home, I have the honor to state that, if the 
facts are as set forth by General Scott, the responsibility lies at 
other doors than mine. Understanding fully his views and wishes, 
I made ample provision for the old corps under his command. 
Those corps, I believe, never exceeded in the aggregate seven 
thousand men. To supply them I placed in depot, at Vera Cruz, 
eleven thousand forage caps, fourteen thousand wool jackets, and 
four thousand cotton jackets; fifteen thousand flannel shirts, and 
seventeen thousand cotton shirts; eighteen thousand pairs of wool 
overalls, and four thousand pairs of cotton overalls; seventeen 
thousand pairs of flannel drawers; thirty^seven thousand pairs of 
bootees, (I ordered fifty thousand pairs;) twenty-seven thousand 
pairs of stockings; two thousand four hundred great coats, and nine 
thousand two hundred blankets. These supplies were all sent to 
Yera Cruz previous to the 30th of June. 

I made no provision for the volunteers, for you are well aware I 
had not a single cent that 1 could legally apply to the purchase of 
clothing for them. If the generals named by General Scott ex¬ 
hausted the clothing placed in depot at Yera Cruz, by applying it 
to the use of their respective commands, they acted in violation of 
the 36th article of war, and the general should hold them account¬ 
able. 

It is known here that several thousand suits of clothing, sent to 
New Orleans and Mexico, for the use of the old army, have been 
issued to the new regiments and to volunteers; but General Scott 
is mistaken in supposing that the depot at Yera Cruz was entirely 
exhausted by those issues; for I have official information that as 
late as the 6th of December, some time after Lieutenant Colonel 



Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


37 


Johnson’s train left Yera Cruz, there still remained in the depot at 
that post eight thousand forage caps; three thousand nine hundred 
wool coats and jackets, and six thousand nine hundred cotton 
jackets; nineteen hundred wool and seven thousand seven hundred 
cotton overalls; twenty-seven hundred flannel and thirteen thou¬ 
sand seven hundred cotton shirts; fifteen thousand six hundred 
pairs of drawers; two thousand seven hundred great coats; and 
seven thousand blankets, and eleven thousand pairs of bootees. 

If the volunteers and new regiments went to Mexico without the 
proper supplies, that was the fault of those who commanded them. 
General Butler, I understand, was specially directed to superin¬ 
tend the organization, equipment, and movement of the volunteer 
force. It was his business, not mine, to see that they were properly 
clothed and supplied; and neither he, General Patterson, nor Gen¬ 
eral Marshall had any right to take for their commands the sup¬ 
plies I had placed at Yera Cruz for General Scott’s old regiments. 

For the new regiments I had made timely arrangements, and 
would have sent to Yera Cruz, in November, a large supply of 
clothing, but I received, in October, a report from Captain Irwin, 
the acting Quartermaster General of General Scott’s army, dated 
at the city of Mexico the 27th of September, of which the follow¬ 
ing is an extract: U I have now a thousand people engaged in making 
clothing; the quality of the material is not so good as our own , and 
the price on the average is fifty per cent higher. Still supposing 
the road between this and Vera Cruz to be entirely open , I think 
the government will lose little , if anything , by purchasing here. I 
shall be able to fill , in a very short time , every requisition which 
has been made on me, with clothing , which, though not exactly of our 
uniform , will be comfortable and good.” 

This information, sir, was from a man who not only knew how to 
supply an army, by putting into requisition all the resources of the 
country around him, but was better qualified to command a large 
army than most of your generals in the field. The report of Cap¬ 
tain Irwin delayed my action here, but in December, I ordered 
from Philadelphia a supply of clothing sufficient for the whole 
army, regulars and volunteers. 

To enable me to do this, I have been obliged to apply, on my 
own responsibility, three hundred and sixty-eight thousand dollars 
of the funds of the quartermaster’s department to the purchase of 
clothing, and to authorize purchases to be made on credit, which 
have been paid for by bills drawn on me at ninety days, which I 
have accepted, hoping Congress, by making an appropriation, will 
enable me to meet them by the time they become due. 

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 

TH. S. JESUP, 

Quartermaster General. 


The Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War , Washington City. 






38 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


Quartermaster General’s Oefice, 

Washington City , April 17, 1848. 

Sir: I have received the extracts from General Scott’s letter to 
you, dated the 24th of February, complaining of the want of means 
of transportation, of supplies, and of funds, from the quartermas¬ 
ter’s department, in consequence of which he informs you he was 
embarrassed and delayed in his operations, as well in the attack on 
Vera Cruz as in his movements afterwards; and I have to state in 
reply, that delays did occur in the movement upon Vera Cruz 
which were most vexatious, but which were not occasioned by any 
neglect or omission on my part, or on that of any other officer of 
the department, as a detail of the facts will show. The memoran¬ 
dum from the War Department for the quartermaster general, al¬ 
luded to by General Scott, fixed the number of transport ships for 
his expedition at forty-one, viz: Twelve for the volunteers, ord¬ 
nance, and supplies, from the Atlantic; five for surf boats or light¬ 
ers; ten to go out in ballast for troops on the gulf of Mexico; and 
fourteen to be supplied by the officers of the quartermaster’s de¬ 
partment at New Orleans and on the gulf. That number, I take it 
for granted, was determined upon by General Scott himself, or by 
the War Department, w T ith his assent, as I have not understood that 
he, at any time, objected to the number as insufficient. He com¬ 
plains that the ten in ballast for troops were not sent, and that the 
embarkation was delayed thereby u in whole, or in part, from the 
15th of January to the 9th of March.” 

Colonel Stanton informs me that the order to charter those ten 
vessels was countermanded in consequence of a letter from me, 
dated at Brassos Santiago the 27th day of December, which was 
read by General Scott before it was sealed, and to which he added a 
postscript. The general, no doubt, relied upon those vessels. I 
expected them, for I believed they would be chartered and on the 
way before my letter could be received; but so boisterous was the 
season that I thought it unsafe to trust to their arrival, and made 
my arrangements as if they had actually failed, which fact I re¬ 
ported to General Scott, as well as I now remember, either through 
Captain Wayne or the late Captain Hetzel. 

It will be seen by reference to the memorandum referred to, that 
twenty-seven vessels were to be sent from the Atlantic with troops, 
supplies, and in ballast. Not one was sent in ballast; but there were 
actually fifty-three ships, barques, brigs, and schooners, sent with 
troops and supplies. It was expected that I should furnish four¬ 
teen ships; the department actually furnished at New Orleans, 
Brassos, and Tampico, for the army, before it took up the line of 
march into the interior, one hundred and sixty-three vessels, some 
of which made several voyages. 

I submit a copy of a report from the late Captfcin Hetzel, marked 
A, dated at the Brassos the 21st of February, 1847, which shows 
what had been done by the department up to that time. Of the 
102 vessels contained in that report, five were from the Atlantic, four 
only of which had reported there, the other had been wrecked. I 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


39 


also submit paper marked B, which is a list of vessels chartered at 
Tampico, to transport thence troops, horses, and mules. 

Under the most favorable circumstances much time would have 
been required to organize so extensive a transport service; but, 
owing to the drenching rains throughout the month of January, the 
ships and other vessels chartered at New Orleans could not be pre¬ 
pared and sent to sea as rapidly as was desirable; and the frightful 
northers described by General Scott in his letter of the 12th of 
January, 1847, and mentioned in many of his subsequent letters, 
delayed their arrival at the Brassos and Tampico, as well as the 
movement from those points. The time lost from these causes 
alone may be fairly estimated at from twenty-five to thirty days. 
But a measure of General Scott, which he seems to have over¬ 
looked in summing up his difficulties, produced not only embar¬ 
rassment and increased expense, but delays more injurious to the 
service than the want of ten ships promised from the Atlantic, 
even had others not been substituted in their place. It was the 
change in the destination of the Mississippi, Louisiana, North Ca¬ 
rolina, Massachusetts and Virginia regiments. Had the two for¬ 
mer been sent direct to Lobos, and a regiment already at Tampico 
been left there for the defence of the place, and the regiment re¬ 
placed by the Mississippi regiment been left with General Taylor, 
double lighterage would have been avoided at a time when lighters 
were not abundant, delay would have been prevented, and six ships, 
that were rendered comparatively useless, would have been avail¬ 
able for the campaign; the places of which had to be supplied. 
Had cutters or pilot-boats been despatched to cruise off cape St. 
Antonio, with orders for the North Carolina, Massachusetts and 
Virginia regiments to proceed direct to Sacraficios, double lighter¬ 
age, as well as the transports for the troops that replaced them, 
would have been saved. 

General Scott certainly had the right to change the destination 
of those regiments, but he, not you or I, is responsible for the em¬ 
barrassment, increased expense and delay occasioned by that 
change. 

As to the complaint of the want of funds, you are aware that the 
appropriations were nearly exhausted—the small amount available 
I was obliged to use so as to preserve the credit of the department; 
and I made the only arrangement in my power for the supply of 
funds by authorizing the officers of the department to draw on me 
without limit. The service, I know, was carried on with as little 
embarrassment as ever attended the service of any army in a foreign 






war. 

The complaint of General Scott, in regard to clothing, is fully 
answered in my report of the 18th of February last, which will be 
found in Executive document No. 56, page 250, to which I respect¬ 
fully refer. 

General Scott complains that not more than half of the surf boats 
he required came at all, and of the siege train and ordnance stores, 
only about one half had arrived when the Mexican flags were re¬ 
placed by those of the United States at Vera Cruz. The science 



40 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


and valor of the army, he says, had to supply all deficiencies. The 
result shows that he had surf boats and stores enough; and one of 
his high merits as a commander is, that he never doubted the sci¬ 
ence and valor of his army, but made the best use of both. He 
had invaded a country with resources sufficient to support large 
armies against us; he availed himself with great ability of the re¬ 
sources of the enemy. This, I know, you and the President ex¬ 
pected him to do. Had he failed to do so, or had he doubted the 
science and valor of his army, he would have proved himself unfit 
for the high trust confided to him; and those who placed him in 
command would have had a heavy account to settle with the coun¬ 
try. But his complaints are entirely groundless, as he, in his cooler 
moments, I have no doubt will admit. He is one of the best in¬ 
formed military men now living; but it would puzzle him to show 
a single instance in the military history of the last two centuries 
in which an army, whose personal and material had to be collected 
from so vast a territory, was as w’ell appointed and supplied as his 
army has been. The glorious results of his campaign are a suffi¬ 
cient answer to all his complaints—results so astonishing that the 
faithful chronicler of the events as they occurred will probably be 
considered rather the compiler of fables than the relater of facts. 

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 

TH. S. JESUP, 
Quartermaster General. 


Honorable Wm. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War , Washington City. 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 41 

A. 

Report of Captain Hetzef of vessels for General Scott’s expedition. 


VESSELS EMPLOYED IN TRANSPORTING GENERAL SCOTT’s COMMAND 

FROM THE BRASSOS TO LOBOS. 


No. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 


Name of vessel. 


Steamer Massachusetts . .. 

Steamer Edith..... 

Ship Talbot. 

Ship Elizabeth Dennison. 

Ship North Carolina. 

Ship Henry. 

Ship Huron. 

Ship Diadem. 

Ship Russia. 

Ship Bangor..... 

Ship Eli Whitney. 

Ship Louisville. 

Ship Emerald. 

Ship Arkansas. 

Ship Yazoo. 


Remarks- 


General Scott. 
General Worth. 

8th Infantry. 

6th Infantry. 

4th Infantry. 
Artillery battalion. 
5th Infantry. 

Rifle regiment. 
Dragoons. 
Dragoons. 
Dragoons. 

Light artillery. 
Dragoons. 

Light artillery. 
Held in reserve. 


VESSELS SENT TO TAMPICO FROM THE BRASSOS FOR THE TRANSPOR 
TATION OF TROOPS THENCE TO LOBOS. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 


Ship Desdemona. 

Ship Maine. 

Ship Corsair. 

Shin Essex. 

Steamer Eudora. 

Steamer Virginia .... 

Barque Jubilee. 

Barque Caroline. 

Barque Apphia Maria 

Brig Importer. 

Brig Pensacola. 


VESSELS THAT WILL BE SENT TO TAMPICO FOR THE TRANSPORTATION 

OF TROOPS THENCE TO LOBOS. 


1 

Steamer Alabama. 

500. 

2 

Steamer New Orleans. 

800. 

3 

Ship Pharsalia . 

500. 

4 

Ship Medford... 

400. 

5 

Barque May Flower. 

350. 














































42 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 

A.—Continued. 


No. 


6 

7 

8 
9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 


Name of vessel. 

Remarks. 

Ship Amazon .. .... ...... 

400. 

Rarqnp Yiotnry rt . . . f . 

350. 

Barque Alabama. 

250. 

Barque John Barns. 

300. 

Barque Prompt. 

250. 

Brip - Prairie . 

200. 

Brip 1, Planet . . . 

200. 

O 

Barque William Ivy .. 

Brier Soldana.. 


O 

Brig A. W. Browne.. .. 


Brig Rio. 



VESSELS EMPLOYED IN TRANSPORTING WAGONS, CARTS, MULES, IM¬ 
PLEMENTS, &C., FROM BRASSOS TO LOBOS. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 
9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 
21 
22 
23 


Ship Washington.. 

Brig Etrurian ... 

Brig Tasso.. 

Brig Mary E. Balch. 

Schooner Fidelia. 

Schooner Ripple. 

Schooner Harriet Smith. 

Schooner Catherine H. Bacon 

Schooner Iona.. 

Schooner Eleanor Steavens... 

Schooner Mary Payran. 

Schooner Perine. 

Schooner Yucatan.. 

Schooner Andrew J. Horton ., 

Schooner Pacific .. 

Schooner Ninotta .. 

Schooner Oscar Jones. 

Schooner Eleanor. 

Sehopner Louisa. 

Schooner Blanch E. Payee . . 

Schooner Euchiana. 

Schooner Louisiana. 

Brig Architect. 


Tools, implements, &c. 
Wagons. 

Laborers and teamsters. 
Coal and boats. 
Wagons. 

Wagons. 

Mules. 

Wagons, mules, &c. 
Engineers train. 
Wagons, mules, &c. 


do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 


Wagons and surf boats. 
Mules and Q. M. stores. 
Despatch boat. 


VESSELS CHARTERED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF TROOPS &C., TO 
LOBOS, AT NEW ORLEANS, NEW YORK, AND NOW AT OR ON THEIR 
WAY TO LOBOS. 

1 1 Ship Russell Glover...I 1st Pennsylva. regiment. 

2 j Ship Oxnard.| do do 













































Ex. Doc. No. 59. 

A.—Continued. 


43 


No. 

Name of vessel. 

Remarks* 

3 

Ship Statesman. 

1st Pennsylva. regiment. 

4 

Ship Ondiaka. 

Louisiana regiment. 

5 

Ship Archelaus. 

do do 

6 

Ship Sharon.. 

do do 

7 

Ship Alhambra. 

South Carolina regiment. 

8 

Ship Oregon. 

do do 

9 

Ship Elleslie. 

do do 

10 

Barque Floyd. 

do do 

11 

Ship Ocean. 

2d Pennsylva. regiment. 

12 

Ship J. W. Cooper . 

do do 

13 

Ship General Yeazie. 

do do 

14 

Ship May Flower. 

2d Mississippi regiment. 

15 

Ship Beatrice. 

do do 

16 

Ship Henry Pratt. 

do do 

17 

Ship Susan Spofford.. 

Lumber. 

18 

Ship Virginia. 

do 

19 

Brig Mattallack.. 

Water. 

20 

Brig Marie. 

do 

21 

Brig Juan de Carthegena. 

do 

22 

Brig R. R. Dudley. 

do 

23 

Brig Mary Ann. 

do 

24 

Ship Shenango.. 

Recruits. 

25 

Ship Oswego. 

Horses. 

26 

Ship St. Louis.. 

Surf boats. 

27 

Ship Suviah. 

Coal and water. 

28 

Ship American. 

Surf boats. 

29 

Brig Plymouth. 

Coal and forage. 

30 

Schooner Pioneer . 

Pilot boat. 

31 

Ship Charlotte Read. 

Ordnance stores. 

32 

Steamer Ocean. 

Coal, &c., &c. (wrecked.) 

33 

Steamer Ashland. 

Coal, &e., &c. 

34 

Barque Isabella. 

New York troops. 

35 

Barque Montezuma. 

do do 

36 

Brig Empire. 

do do 

37 

Brig Mary Jane. 



Many other vessels have been chartered for the transportation of 
guns, ordnance, and ordnance stores, from the north to Lobos; of 
which, however, no account has been received at this place. 

A. R. HETZEL, 
Captain and A. Q. M. 
Brassos Santiago, February 21 st, 1847. 















































Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


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46 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


Quartermaster General’s Office, 

Washington City , April 18, 1848. 

Sir : Since my letter of yesterday, I have received a report from 
the principal quartermaster at the city of Mexico, dated the 20th of 
March, from which I make, and submit for your consideration, the 
following extract: 

u I am happy to inform you that this army (the army under General 
Butler) is well supplied with clothing, camp, and garrison equip- 
page; at Vera Cruz, there still remains for issue or transportation to 
the interior, a good supply of the above articles.” 

This is a fine commentary on the complaints recently made to you 
of the delinquencies of the said department. 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

TH. S. JESUP, 
Quartermaster General. 

The Hon. W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War , Washington City. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Washington , June 19, 1846. 

Understanding that one of the provisions of the bill that has 
just passed Congress, adds four assistant adjutants general to that 
department of the general staff, I beg to submit, in connexion 
therewith, these remarks : 

We have now six officers ^all taken from, and still holding com¬ 
missions in the line) bearing that precise designation—two of them, 
Cooper and Thomas, with the brevet rank of major , and four, 
Shriver, Prentiss, Bliss, and Freeman, with the brevet rank of 
captain. Of the whole six, Shriver is the only one whose regi¬ 
mental rank has come up (since his appointment to the department) 
to his regimental [staff] rank; that is, he is now a captain, by brevet, 
in the staff, and also a captain in the 2d artillery. If I understand 
the precise terms of another provision of the new bill, Captain 
Shriver will be obliged to give up one of his captaincies. 

Both classes of assistant adjutant's general (majors and captains) 
bear, precisely, under the act July 5, 1838, section 7 (Cross, p. 262) 
the same designation. But that act prescribes that two of the as¬ 
sistants shall have the brevet rank of major, and the other four, 
that of captain. 

The new act, I learn (it is not before me) makes no such dis¬ 
crimination as to rank; but simply adds to the department four as¬ 
sistants. 

As this is the branch of the general staff (department of orders) 
the most immediately connected with the general head-quarters of 
the whole army, I suppose it to be particularly my duty to add : 

That, in my view of military propriety, or the interest of the ser¬ 
vice, two of the new assistants ought to be of the class of major y 
and the other two of the class of captain , which would give the 



Ex. Doc. No. 59. 47 

department (besides the Adjutant General) four majors and six 
captains, all by brevet. 

That Captain Wm. C. DeHart , 2d artillery, would, from long and 
varied experience, as well as from general talents and acquirements, 
not to speak of the valuable services he has rendered, make a most 
excellent assistant of the first class. 

That Captain W. W. S. Bliss , first lieutenant, 4th infantry, long 
the chief of General Taylor’s staff, as assistant adjutant general— 
an officer of singular accomplishments, and who has, in that 
capacity, highly distinguished himself in the great events which 
have recently occured on the Rio Grande, seems pre eminently en¬ 
titled to the other majority. 

1. First Lieutenant S. C. Ridgely , 4th artillery, an officer of 
great and varied talents and experience, now attached to the general 
head-quarters of the army, as acting judge advocate, recommended 
as one [of] the new assistants. 

2. First Lieutenant H. S. Turner , 1st dragoons, long adjutant of 
that regiment, and now with Colonel Kearny, and wanted with him. 
He is highly qualified to be the other of the two original places. 

3. First Lieutenant H. L. Scott , 4th infantry, long aid-de camp, 
&c., with excellent talents and experience, recommended as assist¬ 
ant with the rank of captain, vice Bliss, promoted. 

4. First Lieutenant J. H. Eaton , 3d infantry, aid-de-camp to 
General Taylor, and much distinguished in the present campaign, 
recommended vice Shriver, who it is supposed will, by the new act, 
be obliged to return to his regiment. But, as Lieutenant Eaton 
may become a regimental captain, in a few weeks, by ordinary 
promotion, I offer, vice Shriver. 

4. First Lieutenant Irwin McDowell , 1st artillery, aid-de-camp 
to General Wool, and who will be needed with the latter, who is 
charged, immediately, with the Chihuahua expedition. 

All which is respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


June 23, 1846. 

Major General Scott asks the attention of the Secretary of War 
to a bundle of papers, which General Scott has somewhat accident¬ 
ally obtained, relative to prisoners of war, &c. 

It would seem that the files and records of the War Department 
are without such documents. 

The paper in print (the longer one) contains matters which seem, 
at this time, to demand attention on the part of the United States 
and Mexico as belligerents. Perhaps the Secretary may extract 
certain parts of the long paper, and send them to Brevet Major 
General Taylor as a basis of arrangement between him and the 
competent authority on the part of Mexico. An authentic copy of 
the same paper may, probably, be obtained at the State Department. 

Respectfully submitted. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 






48 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 

Projet.—Military chest. 


July 2, 1846. 

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. 

It is understood that the paymaster general prefers and has made 
a separate arrangement. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


General orders. 

The quartermaster general will cause to be provided and sent, to 
the general head-quarters of the army against Mexico , a suitable 
military chest, capable of containing $ in gold for disburse¬ 

ment on account of that army while in the enemy’s country, or 
while operating in the field. 

This chest will be kept under the guard of general head-quarters, 
for the reception and safe-keeping of such large sums of public 
money as disbursing staff officers may not find it necessary to keep 
about them for current use. 

The general-in-chief of that army will designate one or more of 
the principal staff officers about head-quarters to keep the key or 
keys of the chest, to pass receipts for deposites made in the same, 
and to reissue, upon the proper receipts, such convenient sums as 
may, from time to time, be needed by the depositors or other offi¬ 
cers of the same branches of the staff, respectively, for the public 
service. Accordingly, moneys deposited in the chest by officers of 
the quartermaster’s department, subsistence department, or pay de¬ 
partment, will only be reissued, except in extreme cases, and by 
the special order of the general-in-chief of that army, to the offi¬ 
cers of the same disbursing department. 


Remarks on Governor Edwardses letter (July 6) to the Secretary of 

War. 


July 17, 1846. 

I do not wish to put my opinion in opposition to that of the 
Missouri authorities (aided by recent intelligence) on the force ne¬ 
cessary to conquer Santa Fe or New Mexico; but I do not believe 
Brigadier General Kearny will meet, at any one point in the entire 
route to the Pacific, 2,500 men tolerably armed, which is less than 
the force of his own command, including Sterling’s [Price’s] regi¬ 
ment. (Note .—Governor Edwards does not, by his letter, appear 
to be aware of Summers’ and Cooke’s companies, of the 1st dra¬ 
goons, which have followed Kearny.) 

Nevertheless, as a compromise, I suggest that Governor Edwards 
be authorized to raise and to despatch, after Kearny, a battalion of 
foot volunteers, say of five companies of 100 men each, or of six, 







Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


49 


with fewer privates, to fo'llow Colonel Sterling’s [Price’s] regimept; 
the new battalion to be armed with muskets, except one company, 
to which rifles should be given. Such addition would carry up the 
Santa Fe expedition to about 3,200 men, independent of the Mor¬ 
mons, and of accessions to be made at Bent’s fort and within New 
Mexico. 

Undisciplined as Kearny’s army may be, the opposing Mexicans 
will be equally so; and, physically and morally, every two Ameri¬ 
cans may safely be considered as at least equal to three Mexicans. 

Respectfully submitted. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


It is respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War that I pro¬ 
pose, if not objected to by him, to issue an order to this effect: 

General orders, ) Head-quarters of the Army, 

No. . $ Adjutant GeneraVs Office , Sept. 5, 1846. 

Brevet Brigadier General Worth, now in command of a brigade 
in the army operating against Mexico, is assigned to duty with that 
army, according to his brevet rank. 

By command of Major General Scott: 

R- J-. 

Adjutant General. 


September 5, 1846. 

Without an order to the above effect, General Worth is now 
liable to be commanded, not only by any brigadier general of mi¬ 
litia or volunteers, but also by any colonel senior to him as colonel. 

Please see general orders, No. 5, of this year, (which revives the 
order of August 13, 1829,) paragraph 4. 

• WINFIELD SCOTT. 


[Endorsement.] 

Projet. 

October 8, 1846. 

The within dr eft of a letter, it may be proper to address to each 
commander of an army now operating against Mexico. I am 
aware that it presents grave t.opics for consideration, which is in¬ 
vited. , . , „ 

It will be seen that I have endeavored to place all necessary 
limitations on martial law. 1. By restricting it to a foreign hostile 
country; 2. To offences enumerated with some accuracy; 3. By 

4 








50 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


assimilating councils of war to court martials ; 4. By restricting 
punishments to the known laws of some one of the States, &c. 

Respectfully submitted to the consideration of the Secretary of 
War. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


Projet. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Washington, October —, 1846. 

Sir: It cannot but happen that many offences, not cognizable 
by courts martial, under the “ act for establishing rules and articles 
of war for the government of the armies of the United States,” 
approved April 10, 1846, will be committed by, or upon the army 
under your command, while in the enemy’s country. I allude to 
crimes which, if committed within our own organized limits, would, 
as heretofore, be referred to the ordinary or civil courts of the 
land.— Cross, p. 107. 

Our land forces take with them, when on service beyond the 
limits of the Union, its organized territories, and the “Indian 
country,” as defined by the first section of the act approved June 
30, 1834, no statutory code for the punishment of offences, other 
than the said recited act of 1806, with its amendments.— Cross, p. 
204. 

Murder, wilful stabbing, and maiming, and assault and battery, 
committed upon any “ superior officer ,” and no one else; or the 
drawing and lifting up any weapon against, or the offering any 
violence to, such officer, (he being, in the several cases, “ in the 
execution of his duty,”) by any “officer or soldier,” or other per¬ 
son subject to said articles, are all clearly within the 9th of those 
articles.— Cross, p. 208. 

Wanton disturbance of religious worship is made punishable by 
the 2d article, without reference to place^r country.— Cross, p. 107. 

So are spies (not citizens of the United States) by the second 
section of the said act of 1806.— Cross, p. 123. 

Other capital offences against the general safety of the Union 
and army are expressly referred to courts martial by the 56th and 
57th articles.— Cross, p. 116. 

The 51st and 55th provide for a few other capital offences which 
may be committed abroad; and the 52d, abroad or at home, upon 
persons or property, by individuals of the army; and the 99th ar¬ 
ticle refers numerous non-specified crimes, “ not capital,” but 
merely “disorders and neglects, to the prejudice of good order and 
military discipline,” to courts martial, whether such offences be 
committed at home or abroad.— Cross, pp. 115, 116, 123. 

It is evident that the 99th article, so qualified or limited, can¬ 
not apply to the numerous omitted offences in question; many of 
which, if committed, ought, no doubt, to be punished with death, 
or otherwise severely;, for it is enacted in the 87th, that “no per- 



Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


51 


son shall be sentenced to suffer death’’ by general courts martial, 
u except in the cases herein expressly mentioned”—a limitation 
which has been universally applied to the commissions of officers 
also.— Cross , p. 120. 

Articles 32, 33, and 54, seem to be limited to the general main¬ 
tenance of good order at home and abroad, and to the protection 
of persons and property within the United States.— Cross pp. 112, 
115. 

Assassination, wilful murder, stabbing, maiming, wounding, as¬ 
sault and battery, (except under the strict limitations of the 9th 
and 51st articles;) rape, wilful destruction of houses, or other 
private property; robbery and theft, or plunder and pillage, (ex¬ 
cept in the limited cases under the 52d and 55th articles;) and de¬ 
secration of religious edifices, fixtures, and monuments, are all, 
whether committed by or upon the army, at home or abroad, un¬ 
provided for by our written military code; and they are offences 
which, of course, could not, in a foreign hostile country, often, if 
ever, be safely turned over to the courts of such country, whether 
the offenders belong to the latter or to the army. 

The good of the service, the honor of the United States, and the 
interests of humanity, demand that the numerous grave offences 
omitted, except to a limited extent, as above, should not go unpun¬ 
ished because committed in a foreign country, on, or by, our 
army. 

The British mutiny act, and articles of war founded thereupon, 
(which had their origin at the revolution of 1688,) omit the same 
offences, and to the same extent, because, as Lord Loughborough 
(2 H. Blackstone, 98) remarks, u In this country, all the delinquen¬ 
cies of soldiers are not triable, as in most countries of Europe, by 
martial law,” (which, he says, in the same opinion, had, in the con¬ 
tinental sense been “ totally exploded” from that kingdom since 
1688;) “ but, where they are ordinary offences against the civil 
peace, they are tried by the common law courts;” (and such also 
has always been done in the United States.) 

But when a British army is abroad, in a hostile country, the omis¬ 
sions in the British penal code—(the same as in ours, and to the 
same extent; for our articles of war are borrowed in extenso , and 
with but slight verbal variations therefrom)—that army supplies 
those omissions by the supplemental, unwritten, and undefined code, 
called martial law. 

This law can have no constitutional, legal, or even necessary ex¬ 
istence, within the United States. At home, even the suspension of 
the writ of habeas corpus , by Congress, could only lead to the in¬ 
definite incarceration of an individual or individuals who, if fur¬ 
ther punished, at all, could only be so punished through the ordi¬ 
nary, or common law courts of the land. 

But abroad, and in hostile countries, it is believed that the com¬ 
manders of our armies, like those of Great Britain, may, ex neces¬ 
sitate rei , enforce martial law against any of the grave offences in¬ 
dicated above, which maybe unprovided for in our statutory code, 


52 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


whether such offences be committed by persons appertaining to 
those armies, or by the inhabitants of the hostile country. 

Accordingly, no matter by whom such offences may be commit-, 
ted in the hostile country occupied by the army under your imme¬ 
diate command, or -in which it may be engaged in military ope¬ 
rations, whether by persons appertaining to that army upon the 
persons and property of each other, or by such persons upon the 
persons or property of the inhabitants of the hostile country, or by 
the latter upon the persons or property of the army and its follow¬ 
ers, all such offences, if against the laws of war, and not provided 
for in our rules and articles of war, will be duly brought before 
councils of war , and by them tried and sentenced, according to the 
nature and degree of each offence, and according to the known 
laws of any one of the States of this Union. 

Every council of war, for the trial of such offences, will be ap¬ 
pointed in the same manner, and by the same authority, that ap¬ 
points courts martial, whether general, regimental, or garrison, 
and will, as far as practicable, be governed by the same limitations, 
rules, principles, and procedure, including reviews, modifications, 
meliorations, and approval of sentence.—Articles 65, 97. 

The proceedings of councils of war will, of course, be kept in 
writing, and sent to the adjutant general’s office, as in the case of 
the proceedings of courts martiaL 


Part of General Order , No. 69, headed “ War Department , October 

15, 1846.” 

Brevets. 


“V. The President of the United States has been pleased to con¬ 
fer on the following named officers, serving in Florida, for gallant 
and meritorious actions in the face of the enemy, the brevet rank 
set opposite to their names respectively: 


“Major B. K. Pierce, of the 1st regiment of artillery, to be lieu¬ 
tenant colonel by brevet, for distinguished services in the affair of 
Fort Drane, to date from the 21st August, 1836. 

“ Captain T. Childs, of the 3d regiment of artillery, to be major 
by brevet, for planning the attack on the Indians at Fort Drane 
and good conduct in that affair, to date* from the 21st August 5 
1836. 5 ’ 


“ Captain William M. Graham, of the 4th regiment of infantry to 
be major by brevet, for gallantry and good conduct in the affair’of 
the Withlacooche, to date from the 31st December, 1835. 

“Captain R. B. Lee, of the 3d regiment of artillery, to be major 
by brevet, for gallantry and good conduct in the affair of Micanonv 
to date from 9th June, 1836. 

“Captain J. A. Ashby, of the2d regiment of dragoons, to be 
major by brevet, for gallantry and good conduct in the affair of 
Welika, to date from 19th July, 1836. 

“ First Lieutenant Campbell Graham, of the 3d regiment of artil- 
lery, to be captain by brevet, for gallantry and good conduct in 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 53 

the affair on the Withlacooche, to date from the 31st December, 

1835. 

u First Lieutenant W. S. Maitland, of the 3d regiment of artillery, 
to be captain by brevet, for gallantry and good conduct in the 
affairs of the Withlacoochee and Welika, to date from the 31st De¬ 
cember, 1835. 

u Second Lieutenant A. Herbert, of the 1st regiment of artillery, 
to be 1st lieutenant by brevet, for gallantry and good conduct on 
several occasions in Florida, to take rank from the 27th July, 

1836. 

u By order of Alexander Macomb, major general commanding in 
chief. 

“R. JONES, 
Adjutant General.” 

These eight officers were breveted in the recess of the Senate , 
(which adjourned July 4,) but subject to the advice and consent 
of that body. Accordingly they were nominated by President 
Jackson, February 24, 1837, and confirmed 7th of March, following. 
Major Heileman had been previously breveted a lieutenant colonel 
in the same recess of the Senate; but, Heileman having died in the 
mean time, he was not nominated on the meeting of the Senate. 
It will be perceived by this order that the services for which these 
brevets (or many of them) were given, were rendered during the 
session of the Senate. 

It is due to President Jackson and the acting Secretary of War, 
(Mr. Butler,) to say that these brevets were given under a tem¬ 
porary supposition that section 9, act June 30, 1834, ( Cross , page 
250) repealed section 2, act April 16, 1818, (Cross, page 202;) 
whereas, in reality, the only provision repealed was the power of 
the President and Senate to grant brevets for ten years’ service, 
in the same grade, under section 4, act July 6, 1812— Cross , page 
155. That “clause,” or provision of law, only was repealed. 

But, it is not doubted, that, on other* grounds, the eight brevets, 
announced in this printed order, were legally granted in the recess 
of the Senate, subject to future nomination and confirmation, as in 
the case of ordinary promotions in the recess of the Senate. A 
regimental major, for example, dies in the recess. The good of the 
service requires that the vacancy should be promptly filled. The 
senior captain is announced, in orders, to take the vacancy, and a 
letter of appointment , subject to the future confirmation of the 
Senate, is given to him. This promotion is an incident to the cap¬ 
tain’s seniority. So the captain, in the recess, distinguishes himself 
in battle, “ by gallant actions.” As a legal incident to such dis¬ 
tinction, the act of 1812, (the President being.the judge,) authorizes 
a brevet; and the, act of 1818, only superadds that the brevet shall, 
like the ordinary promotion, be subjected to the confirmation of 
the Senate, before the termination of the next session. 

The brevet, in such case, is not an independent commission, like 
that of a supernumerary second lieutenant, (graduate of the military 
academy,) it is merely a legal incident to the ordinary commis* 






54 Ex. Doc. No. 59. 

sion, or previously acquired by the brevet of the distinguished 
officer. 

It is evident that the sole object of the second section, act April 
16, 1818, ( Cross , page 202,) was to make brevets, like ordinary 
commissions, subject to the confirmation of the Senate. Prior to 
that time, the President alone conferred brevets. 

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

October, 1846. 


For the place of assistant adjutant , [general,] with the rank of 
major: 

Captain Wm. C. DeHart, 2d artillery. 

Captain J. R. Vinton, 3d artillery. 

Captain R. Anderson, 3d artillery. 

If of the rank of.Captain: 

1st Lieutenant J. McDougall, 1st artillery, now aid-de-camp to 
General W. 


Vera Cruz and its castle. 

I beg to repeat, in a more methodical form, the views I have al¬ 
ready had the honor to express (hastily and orally) to the Secre¬ 
taries of War and the Navy, touching an expedition against the 
above places. 

The government, or interior people of Mexico, seem, in war, to 
present to us this dilemma: “If you come with few, we will over¬ 
whelm you; if with many, you will overwhelm yourselves.” 

It is apprehended that this may be true of the line of opera¬ 
tions upon the capital of Mexico from the Rio Grande, considering 
the great length of that line, and the deficiency of food and water 
on many of its links, some of them thirty, forty, or sixty miles in 
length. 

To reach the heart of that country, from the gulf coast, there is 
a difficulty, in three quarters of the year, more formidable than the 
artificial defences of other countries; I allude to the vomito in all 
the ports, not to speak of the want of harbors for shipping, and of 
practicable roads leading into the interior, except at, and from, Vera 
,Cruz. 

Unless with a view to a second, or new line of operations, I re¬ 
gard the possession, by us, of the city of Vera Cruz and its castle, 
San Juan d’Ulloa, as a step towards compelling Mexico to sue for 
peace , as not likely to be worth one tenth of the lives, time, and 
money, which their capture would cost us. In other words, I am 
persuaded that our possession of those places would be of but very 
little more value than the present strict blockade of the port; un¬ 
less, as intimated above, the capture should be promptly followed 
by a march thence, with a competent force, upon the capital. To 





Ex. Dpc. No. 59. 


55 


conquer a peace, I am now persuaded that we must take the city of 
Mexico, or place it in imminent danger of capture, and mainly 
through the city of Vera Cruz. 

To take" the castle of San Juan d’Ulloa would, no doubt, be a 
virtual and prompt capture of the city lying under its guns. The 
reverse of the proposition would, probably, not be equally certain 
—I mean in any short time. The castle, after the loss of the city, 
•might still hold out for many weeks, perhaps months, until com¬ 
pelled to surrender from the want of subsistence and water, unless 
earlier reduced by land and water batteries, escalade, &c. 

It is believed that the castle, with a competent garrison, cannot 
be taken by water-batteries alone; or by the latter and an escalade, 
without a very heavy and disproportionate loss qf life on the part 
of the assailants, besides a loss of time, which, by running into the 
season of the vomito , might quadruple the waste of life, and cause 
the invading army to lose a campaign. 

For these reasons, it seems decidedly preferable to capture the 
city first, and by its means (shelter and guns) to attack the castle 
by land and water, including joint escalades—unless it should be 
found probable that the want of food and drinking water would 
lead to an early surrender. 

To place the capture of both places beyond the probability of a 
failure, I suppose the following means to be indispensable: 

The present blockading squadron re-inforced by many bomb- 
ketches—probably yet to be constructed. 

An army of at least ten thousand men, consisting of cavalry (say) 
2,000, artillery (say) 600, and the remainder infantry. 

The whole of the artillery, and at least half of the cavalry and 
infantry, ought to be regular troops. 

Scows and other boats, specially constructed for the purpose, 
sufficient to land, at once, at least 2,500 men, with two light batte¬ 
ries, would be needed. Cavalry and artillery horse would follow, 
after a foothold had been gained. 

The number of cavalry I have named might be indispensable to 
aid in repelling any Mexican army in the field, seeking to save the 
city from an assault or a seige. 

For this purpose, and to overcome opposition at the point of de¬ 
scent, I have assumed ten thousand men to be the minimum force 
of the invaders. 

The point of descent might be any where beyond the reach of 
the enemy’s guns at the city and the castle, including Alvarado; 
but, preferably, as near the city as practicable. 

I suppose the expedition may be fitted out, and in position to 
. make the descent, at the latest, by the beginning of the new year, 
leaving three months for the capture of the city and castle, and for 
the commencement of the march upon the capital before the season 
of yellow fever. 

By that time, (say in the month of March,) that army might be 
augmented to about 20,000 men, for ulterior operations, by new 
regiments of regulars and volunteers. 

There are, already, on the Rio Grande, and in Mexico, more sur- 
% ■ 







56 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


plus United States volunteers than would be needed for the expedi¬ 
tion in the first instance, and I suppose that four or five thousand 
regulars might be in readiness by the first of December, (mostly 
drawn from the same-quarter,) and still leave a threatening force at 
Monterey. 

The junction of Brigadier General Wool with General Taylor, 
together with the recruits who may be enlisted for the regular ar¬ 
my, in the next month, will, it is believed, give the required num-' 
ber for the above purposes. 

All of which is respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Washington , October 27, 1846. 


Supplement to the memoir of October 27th, on the prosecution 
of the war against Mexico. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

November 12, 1846. 


Vera Cruz and its castle.—New line of operations , thence upon the 

capital. 

On the 27th ultimo, I had the honor to submit a short memoir 
under this head. I beg to add a supplement. 

Seeing the obstinacy of Mexico in declining all overtures to treat 
with us, and her present dogged silence, on the same subject, even* 
after we have blockaded all her ports—again and again beaten or 
scattered her armies, and occupied many of her outer provinces—it 
is evident that, to compel her to sue for peace, we must modify our' 
plan of invasion and prosecute it, with, if possible, redoubled 
means. 

Time is always, at least, the second element of cost in war; 
sometimes the first. Nay, the shorter the war, the greater, in gen¬ 
eral, the economy of life. 

Hence, among other reasons, a little war—a war prosecuted with 
inadequate means or vigor—is a greater evil than a big war. It 
discredits the party possessed of the superior means; it exhausts 
her finances, exhausts enthusiasm, and generally ends in a failure 
of all the objects proposed. Besides, in the present instance, neu¬ 
tral commerce begins to exhibit signs of impatience under the loss* 
of an important mart; and interest, sympathy, or the chapter of 
accidents, may, if the blockade, &c., be long continued, raise up 
new parties against us. Such is, no doubt, the sustaining hope of 
Mexico. 

Until recently, I had concurred in the opinion of others that 
Mexico might be compelled to propose reasonable terms of accom¬ 
modation by the time we had conquered the advantages our arms 









Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


57 


have now obtained. Considering her political instability, and our 
want, at the time, of an adequate regular army, the plan of cam¬ 
paign assumed at the beginning of hostilities, seemed worthy of aft 
experiment. It has failed, and further brilliant victories on a sin¬ 
gle line of operations towards the capital, may be as tedious as 
that route is difficult, and equally barren of peace. The fatuitous 
obstinacy of the enemy—now known to be in the inverse ratio of 
the prowess of her troops and financial means—yet remains to be 
subdued. 

With a view to additional developements, I recur to the sugges¬ 
tions I have heretofore made. 

The minimum force (10,000 men) then proposed, I still deem in¬ 
dispensable. Personally, I would be willing to attempt the cap¬ 
ture of Yera Cruz, and through it, the castle of San Juan d’Ulloa, 
with perhaps a smaller army, aided by the blockading squadron off 
that coast. But I very much doubt whether the government ought 
to risk the expedition, under any commander, with a land force 
less than twelve, perhaps fifteen thousand men. 

Considering the comparative short line from her central and 
more populous States to Yera Cruz, and that the war on the part 
of Mexico has evidently become national , no matter who may be 
the ruler, she certainly may be expected to assemble some twenty 
or thirty thousand men to garrison and to cover (in the field) Vera 
Cruz. This I am obliged to suppose she may do with greater ease 
than she placed seven or eight thousand troops at Monterey. She 
would, probably, have ample time to double that number at that 
point, if we admit her capacity to arm so many: 1. By getting 
early information of our intended embarkation; and, 2. By the 
possible delay of weeks, from heavy winds (northers) and surf, 
after the arrival of our transports off the points of descent. All 
these calculations (many of them probabilities) ought to be care¬ 
fully considered before fitting out an expedition; the failure of 
which, from inadequate means, would be so fatal to the credit of 
the administration and the character of our country. 

I have suggested, apparently, a large number of land troops for 
the operations on the coast. A small deduction, equal to the num- 
ben of men, say 1,200, that might for the first moments be drawn 
from the blockading squadron, may be made. 

After effecting a landing, no doubt under a heavy fire, with, say, 
two or three thousand of our best troops, at once, in boats yet to 
be constructed; making good the foothold, until the remainder of 
the expedition could follow; after beating the covering army, the 
city would be the next object of attack. If not likely to be forced 
to surrender by cutting off its supplies, in some few weeks, an as¬ 
sault would be preferable with the loss of several hundred men, to 
a longer delay; the fall of the castle would necessarily soon follow 
that of the city. 

I have said the principal object in those captures, would be to 
open a new and better line of operations upon the enemy’s capital. 
To reach that point, or to place it in imminent danger of capture, 
an army of more than 20,000 men may be needed: 1. To beat, in 


58 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


•the field and in passes, any accumulated force in the way; 2. To 
garrison any important points in the rear, to secure a free commu¬ 
nication with Yera Cruz; and, 3. To make distant detachments in 
order to gather in, withouLlong halts, necessary subsistence. 

If 10,000 men be more than necessary for the capture of Yera ^ 
Cruz, &c., so much the smaller reinforcement—say, by the month 
of May, at the latest—would be “needed for the advance upon the 
capital. 

I suppose the expedition of 10,000 men may be put afloat, at the 
latest, by the first of January. It seems that the vomito is not to 
be feared, on the coast, before May. The interval would allow us 
time to take the harbor of Yera Cruz, and to raise (by the aid of 
bounties) ten or twelve new regiments of regulars and to fill the 
ranks of the old, for operations in the interior. 

If the reinforcements, with the necessary horses, guns, and means 
of transportation, arrive at Yera Cruz before the season of the 
vomito , the capital would be in peril, and probably, a peace early 
secured. Perhaps, before the arrival of that reinforcement, we 
might be able to advance and take Jalapa. 

But it might be asked, how obtain the land force, regulars and 
volunteers, for the expedition, and have all afloat—eight, nine, or 
ten thousand men—by the first of January? 

Including the troops under the immediate command of Brigadier 
General Wool, (ordered down upon Monterey,) there will soon be on 
Major General Taylor’s line of 'operations upon Mexico, via the Rio 
Grande and Monterey, say 6,500 regulars and 13,500 twelve months’ 
volunteers making a total of 20,000 men. We may leave upon 
that line, say, 2,500 regulars and 8,500 volunteers, total 11,000 
men. With this force, all necessary garrisons in the rear may be 
kept up, and a column held at Monterey capable of advancing on 
the line of Saltillo and San Luis de Potosi, or of detaining in its 
front a large portion, or twice the number of the Mexican forces. 

It is certain that a garrison of Americans at Monterey, of four, or 
even three thousand men, would be able to defend it against a 
Mexican army of three or four times the number. But the move- 
able column at that point, out of the total of 11,000, might be car¬ 
ried up to at least 8,000. This, it may be assumed, would be fully 
sufficient to threaten and probably to take Saltillo, if not San Luis 
de Potosi, &c., &c., combined with the movement on the new line 
of operations from Yera Cruz. 

Deducting the forces to remain on the old line of operations, as 
above, we shall have disposable, for the expedition against Yera 
Cruz, 4,000 regulars and 5,000 volunteers, which, with the men to 
be drawn from the blockading squadron, may give an aggregate 
capable of taking that city. 

I have not included in the aggregate of 20,000 men, above, any 
volunteers sent down from Santa Fe to Chihuahua, which force, un¬ 
der the orders issued, would, of course, come upon the line of Ca- 
margo and Monterey; nor have I included the recruits, to be en¬ 
listed in time for the new expedition. Besides those additions, 
probably, more than sufficient to make good all intermediate casual- 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 59 


ties, perhaps two or three other companies of regulars (rifles and 
infantry) may be disposable for the two attacking columns. 

To meet the double invasion, Mexico must either divide her 
forces and increase our chance of success on both lines, or double 
her forces on one, and leave the other comparatively open to our 
advance. 

To divide our forces on the lower Rio Grande, and in the direc¬ 
tion of Monterey and Saltillo, equitably and wisely between the 
two lines of operations upon the enemy’s capital, the positive in¬ 
structions of the government will be needed, besides the presence 
on the theatre of war of the highest in army rank. The latter, I 
beg to say, is the proper officer to carry out, on the spot, the in¬ 
structions of government in respect to that division, and to direct 
the principal attacking column on and from Vera Cruz. 

I need scarcely add that all prelimirfary arrangements should be 
commenced at once, such as taking up transport vessels for troops 
and supplies, with, say 1,000 horses for officers, cavalry, and artil¬ 
lery; the purchase and construction of boats for debarkation in the 
surf, &c., &c. Those arrangements may be made here, in great 
part, and within a few days, when I shall be ready to proceed to 
the Rio Grande, to complete those arrangements before the arrival 
of the transports. 

All which is respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 


Head-quarters of the Army, 

Washington , November 12, 1846. 


Memoranda for the Secretary of War. 


The forces with General Taylor, including those under General 
Wool, and under orders to join the former, may be re-stated thus: 


Regulars. 7,000 

Volunteers. 13,500 


Nine additional regiments of volunteers, now to be called 
for, at 750 effective men each. 


20,500 

6,750 


27,250 

For the Vera Cruz expedition , say: 

Regulars. 4,000 

Volunteers... 10,000 14,000 

Sailors and mariners. 1,000 


15,000 


Leaving for the line of Monterey, &c 


13,250 


















60 


Ex. Doc. No 59. 


For transporting 14,000 men to Vera Cruz, with horses, artillery, 
stores, and boats, 50 ships, of from 500 to 750 tons each. 

The boats of the blockading squadron are not, I learn, capable of 
putting ashore, at once, more than (say) 500 men—only one-half the 
number to be drawn from the fleet. 

We should therefore require (say) 140 flat boats, to put ashore 
at once, say 5,000 men, with 8 pieces of light artillery. 

Horses might follow in the second or third trip of the boats. 

The form of these boats, &c., shall be determined by to-morrow, 
when orders may be given for their purchase, (probably,) construc¬ 
tion. Colonel Stanton, chief quartermaster, is expected back to¬ 
night. 

The ships need not (to avoid demurrage) be chartered until the 
troops are known to be nearly in position to embark. 

' But for a poton train, to pass rivers, orders should be given to-day. 

Respectfullv submitted, 

• " WINFIELD SCOTT. 

P. S. Orders should be given at once, to have in readiness, to be 
shipped, ordnance and ordnance stores for the water expedition. 
This shall be attended to to-day. 

W. S. 

Head-quarters of the Army, 

Washington , November 16, 1846. 


For the Secretary of War. 

I have hastily read Major General Taylor’s despatches which ar¬ 
rived last night. I suppose that the war must go forward, and not 
be allowed to degenerate into a war like a peace , which would be 
as bad, or worse, than a peace like a war , involving an indefinite 
period of time and waste of money. 

I have the honor to propose: 

J 1. That for the expedition against Yera Cruz, 5,000 regulars and 
four small brigades of volunteers, making (say) 6,000 men, with 
two volunteer major generals, and four volunteer brigadier generals, 
he taken from the forces now under Major General Taylor, or un¬ 
der orders to join him, although he may thereby be, for a time, re¬ 
duced to a strictly defensive condition at Monterey. 

2. That to the 11,000 men (regulars and volunteers, as above) 
there be added (say) 4,000 of the new volunteers, the first that may 
arrive off the Rio Grande. These 4,000 volunteers to be divided 
among the four old brigades, taken as above, or be placed under 
two new volunteer brigadiers, to be appointed by the President, 
according to his pleasure. 

3. That the new volunteers (nine regiments) be organized and 
despatched as rapidly as possible, and also the construction of the * 
boats for embarkation and debarkation, in order that the whole ex¬ 
pedition may be afloat and beyond the Rio Grande by the 15th of 
January, or, at the very latest, the 1st of February, so as to leave 



Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


61 


good time for operations on the gulf coast before the return of the 
yellow fever, to be apprehended in April, but always certain in 
May. 

4. That, to enable Major General Taylor to resume offensive, or 
at least threatening , movements from Monterey upon Saltillo, San 
Luis de Potosi, &c., pending the expedition against Vera Cruz, if 
possible, to send him recruits to fill up the regular corps left with 
him, and also the remainder (say) 3,500 new volunteers of the nine 
regiments. 

5. That, to give the certainty of greater activity and success to 
the two attacking columns, it is respectfully suggested that the 
President call for — additional regiments of volunteers. 

6. That besides the brevets, understood to be designed for Bri¬ 
gadier General Worth, &c., that one be given to Colonel P. F. 
Smith, of the rifles, in order that he may be assigned accordingly, 
and placed in command of a brigade of the regulars in the expe¬ 
dition against Yera Cruz, whether his regiment make part of that 
expedition or not; and, for the command of another brigade of re¬ 
gulars in the same expedition, a brevet be also given to Colonel 
Totten, who has long since earned it, and has once been nominated 
for the rank of brigadier general by brevet. 

7. That, further to aid the filling up the ranks of the regular 
regiments, the President authorize at once that enlistments be made 
for five years, or the war, provided it be terminated in less than 
five years. This provision would of itself (and its legality is un¬ 
doubted) greatly aid the object in view, and on the meeting of Con¬ 
gress, it is hoped, that, as a yet more powerful stimulus, land or 
pecuniary bounties may be granted by Congress. 

All which is respectfully submitted. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

November 21, 1846. 


[Confidential.] 


Notes suggesting topics to be embraced in the Secretary’s in¬ 
structions to General Scott, drawn up (in haste) at the request of 
the former. 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

.November 23, 1846. 


Projet. 

Sir: The President of the United States desires you to repair to 
the lower Rio Grande, in order to take upon yourself the general 
direction of the war against Mexico from this side of the continent, 
and more particularly to organize and conduct an expedition (with 
the co-operation of the navy) against the harbor of Yera Cruz. 



62 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


I am pleased to learn from you that you have, in a very few 
days, already, through the general staff of the army here, laid a 
sufficient basis for the purposes with which you are charged, and 
that you now think it best to proceed at once to the southwest, in 
order to organize the largest number of troops that can be obtained 
in time for that most important expedition. 

Of the nine new regiments of volunteers, recently called for by 
the President, the eight of foot may, it is hoped, begin to arrive, 
by water, off Point Isabel, say about the middle of January next, 
and the other regiment (Texan horse) be a little earlier on the Rio 
Grande. Such are your own calculations, and every effort shall be 
made by this department to push forward those volunteers, and the 
army recruits that may be enlisted in the meantime, as well as the 
transports, boats for embarkation and debarkation, arms, ordnance 
and ordnance stores, and, in general, all other supplies which you 
have designated or may call for. 

From those reginfents and detachments, or so many of them as 
may be up in season, and from the troops now under the command 
of Major General Taylor, or under orders to join him, the new ex¬ 
pedition will be organized by you, taking care to leave with him 
a sufficient force to defend Monterey and to keep his line of com¬ 
munication open (say) to Camargo, and thence down the Rio 
Grande to its mouth. 

You have estimated that the land force necessary to take Yera 
Cruz, and, through that city, the castle of San Juan d’Ulloa, with 
the efficient co-operation of our blockading squadron off that coast, 
at 10,000 men, as the minimum number; but with a strong recom¬ 
mendation in favor of 15,000, if so many can be obtained in time. 
The department (or President) concurs in those estimates, and it is 
hoped that you may, off Point Isabel, have the larger number or¬ 
ganized and afloat in time to reach the point of descent by, if prac¬ 
ticable, the 1st of February, or, at the latest, early in March, 
(adopting your own limits,) so as to allow a sufficient interval for 
capturing the city and castle before the usual season for the return 
of the yellow fever on that coast. 

The President, respecting your judgment, is pleased with the as¬ 
surance you have given that, although you think 15,000 land troops 
not an unreasonable force for the expedition in question, and that 
10,000 ought to be considered the minimum number, if it can be 
obtained in time, you are yet of opinion that the expedition ought 
to go forward, even with the first 8,000 men, that may be embarked 
off Point Isabel, sooner than incur the danger of losing your men 
and object by the yellow fever, in consequence of waiting too long 
for either of the larger numbers that have been mentioned. It is 
then expected that you will proceed accordingly, leaving orders for 
such reinforcements to follow you as you may deem necessary. 

A cordial and effective co-operation between the land and naval 
forces, according to the well established principles and usages in 
such cases, will be indispensable to success in the joint attack upon 
Yera Cruz and its castle. You are expected to do your utmost to 
conciliate such co-operation, and the President will, through the 


Ex. Doc. No. 59. 


63 


Navy Department, give the reciprocal instruction to the commander 
of our blockading squadron off that coast. It may be important to 
that joint service that you should early open a communication with 
the latter, and he will be duly prepared, as above, to respond to 
your inquiries or requests for assistance. 

Your attention need scarcely to be called to the necessity of 
adopting early and frequent measures to obtain, if practicable, cor¬ 
rect information of the enemy’s positions, numbers, movements, 
and designs, near any theatre of military operations, and within the 
range of reinforcements and supplies. For necessary expenditures, 
under this head, your accounts will be allowed. 

Frequent communications, embracing everything of interest to 
the service, will be expected from your head-quarters for the infor¬ 
mation of the government. 

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